Common Well Water Problems & Solutions in Delaware, Maryland, & Virginia

On the Delmarva Peninsula, well water quality can vary widely, and so can the issues you may face. From shallow wells with sandy soil to older plumbing systems, there are many ways water contamination can affect your home.

Whether you live in Delaware, Maryland, or Virginia, it’s not uncommon to experience multiple water problems at once, especially in areas where shallow wells, farmland runoff, and poor natural filtration allow common water contaminants into drinking water.

At Delmarva Water Solutions, we specialize in well water testing and custom treatment solutions for families across the region. With:

Free in-home consultations
Price match guarantee
Performance guarantee
Hundreds of 5-star reviews

You can trust us to help you enjoy safe, cleaner, great-tasting water, no matter where you live on the peninsula.

Iron in Water (and Iron Bacteria)

High levels of iron, and sometimes iron bacteria, are a frequent complaint with well water on the Delmarva Peninsula. Depending on your well depth and water table, you may see signs of both dissolved iron and bacterial contamination.

Typical symptoms of iron in water include:

Reddish-brown stains on sinks, tubs, and laundry
Rusty or metallic taste in water
Slimy buildup in toilet tanks or plumbing (iron bacteria)
Pipe clogging over time

Solution:

Our team may recommend Sediment Filters, Birm Filters, Water Softeners, or Chemical Treatment. Your solution will be customized to your well’s specific iron levels. Treating iron issues not only improves your water’s taste but also protects your plumbing and fixtures long-term.

Hard Water

Hard water is one of the most common water problems in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Water becomes “hard” when it has excessive levels of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. Though hard water isn’t a health hazard, hard water can damage plumbing and appliances while disrupting your comfort at home.

If you have hard water, you may notice:

White spots or streaks on dishes, glassware, and fixtures
Soap that won’t lather
Dry, itchy skin and brittle hair
Scale buildup in pipes, faucets, and water heaters
Higher energy bills from inefficient appliances

Solution:

Water Softeners and Water Conditioners remove or neutralize hardness minerals, protecting your plumbing and helping you feel and look your best. While hard water is one of the most common Maryland water problems, it’s also one of the easiest to treat with the right system.

Bad Odor (Hydrogen Sulfide, Organic Contaminants)

Many homeowners call us about bad smells. These unpleasant odors can often be caused by hydrogen sulfide gas, organic matter, or bacteria in well water. These problems can vary seasonally or worsen as a well ages.

Common odors we help address include:

Rotten egg smell when running taps
Musty, earthy, or fishy flavor
Odors in laundry and on skin
Black staining on silverware

Solution:

Depending on the cause, we may use Iron Filters with Aeration, Carbon Filtration, and/or UV Light Disinfection to safely remove the source of the odor.

Nitrates

Nitrates are one of the most dangerous common water contaminants in Delmarva wells, especially in shallow wells near farmland, septic systems, or animal operations. Invisible and odorless, nitrates pose serious health risks, particularly for infants and pregnant women.

Risks associated with nitrates include:

Blue Baby Syndrome (methemoglobinemia)
Nausea, headaches, and dizziness
Complications in pregnancy

Solution:

Reverse Osmosis (RO) provides highly effective nitrate removal. Because Maryland water issues often involve nitrates, every homeowner on a private well should test their water, especially if near potential runoff sources.

Whole-House Water Softeners with Anion Resin are another great option for nitrate removal. They can remove nitrates at all taps.

Acidic Water (Low pH < 7.0)

Acidic water is common on the peninsula because of shallow wells and limited natural limestone filtration.

Signs of acidic water include:

Blue-green staining on sinks and tubs
Metallic taste
Corrosion in pipes and fixtures
Potential pinhole leaks over time

Solution:

Acid Neutralizer Systems or Soda Ash Feed Pumps safely balance water pH, protecting your plumbing and improving water taste.

Manganese

Often found alongside iron, manganese can cause black or gray staining and metallic tastes. Over time, it can clog pipes and foul appliances.

If your water has manganese, you may notice:

Black stains on laundry or fixtures
Dark particles in water
Bad taste in beverages

Solution:

Water Softeners and/or Birm Filters can remove manganese effectively, helping you enjoy clear, pure water.

Sediment & Turbidity (Cloudy Water)

Cloudy water is caused by fine particles, like sand, silt, rust, or clay. These particles are common in Delmarva’s sandy soils. If not treated, sediment can clog pipes and damage appliances.

Symptoms of sediment and turbidity include:

Cloudy or gritty water
Poor water pressure
Appliance breakdowns

Solution:

Sediment Filtration, Microfiltration, or Reverse Osmosis systems clear out particulates, giving you crisp, clear water.

Chloride (Salty Taste)

High chloride levels can give well water a salty taste, often caused by road salt runoff or natural groundwater deposits. It can also corrode plumbing and well pumps.

You may experience:

Salty-tasting water
Corrosion in pipes and pumps
Damage to water heaters and appliances

Solution:

Reverse Osmosis (RO) offers the best removal of excess chloride.

Bacteria & Pathogens (Coliform, E. coli, etc.)

Bacterial contamination is one of the top concerns with contaminated water in Delmarva Peninsula wells, especially after heavy rains or flooding.

Health symptoms may include:

Diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach cramps
Cloudy water
Unpleasant odors or tastes

Solution:

UV Light Disinfection provides chemical-free protection against bacteria and pathogens. This solution is ideal for families on private wells.

Lead, Arsenic & VOCs

Sandy soils on Delmarva allow harmful contaminants like lead, arsenic, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to enter groundwater. These are serious health risks with no odor or taste.

Long-term effects of VOCs include:

Neurological and developmental problems in children
Cancer risk
Kidney damage
Cardiovascular problems

Solution:

Activated Carbon Filters, Reverse Osmosis, and Acid Neutralizers work together to protect your household from these dangerous contaminants.

PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)

PFAS are man-made “forever chemicals” increasingly found in well water across the U.S., including areas of Delaware water contamination.

Health concerns:

Linked to many types of cancer affecting the digestive, respiratory, and endocrine systems (Source)
Negative immune system effects (Source)
Potential hormonal disruption (Source)

Solution:

A combination of Reverse Osmosis, Activated Carbon, and Ion Exchange offers the best PFAS removal, helping ensure safe drinking water for your family.

Why Choose Delmarva Water Solutions?

When you want to protect your home from common water contaminants and ensure your family has safe, great-tasting drinking water, experience and trust matter.

At Delmarva Water Solutions, we are proud to be the local experts homeowners across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia turn to for well water testing, treatment, and service. Here’s why so many of your neighbors choose us.

We specialize in well water.

Unlike many general water companies, we understand the unique challenges of well systems on the Delmarva Peninsula, from shallow wells and sandy soils to seasonal water quality changes.

Free in-home consultations and testing.

Our process starts with an expert visit to test your water, explain your options, and recommend the right solutions, all at no cost or obligation.

Performance guarantee.

We stand behind everything we install. Your system will work as promised, or we’ll make it right.

Hundreds of 5-star reviews.

We’ve earned the trust of families across the region, and we work hard every day to exceed expectations with friendly, professional service.

Solve Your Water Problems Today

Whether you’re dealing with hard water, iron, bad odors, nitrates, lead, PFAS, or any other common water contaminants, or simply want the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family’s water is safe, we’re here to help.

We proudly serve families throughout: