Your health and that of members of your immediate and extended family depends to a great extent on the quality of your drinking water. The concerns that arise about untreated spring water stem from the many factors that can lead to their contamination. As a stationary water source that is not exposed to direct sunlight, there are some dangers of using untreated domestic hot water that you need to look out for.
smells
If you notice a smell coming from your source, this may be a sign of a problem with water pollution. Sulfur bacteria in the well water produce a gas that has a tainted egg smell from the rotting process of organic material in or near the well water. Although the smell of sulfur bacteria does not affect the water treatment itself, you can not assume that the sulfur bacteria will distract the smell. Other causes of well water odors may be soil contamination, leakage of gas or oil storage tanks or sewerage contamination. Discoloration and taste Untreated spring water can lead to water discoloration, which may indicate a number of problems. Iron and manganese not only change the color of the water, but also give the water a bitter taste.
Metal contamination
Metal contamination leads to corrosion of the pipe, increasing the amount of dissolved lead and iron in the water.
Contamination of micro-organisms
Untreated spring water forms a breeding ground for micro-organisms that cause gastro-intestinal diseases. Another major concern associated with untreated spring water is arsenic contamination.
