Technical > Home Improvement > Well Water Black Metal Question

Well Water Black Metal Question

Sulfur that comes from wells is black. It is produced from sulfur compounds in the water by bacteria. There should also be an associated smell if the problem is sulfur.

The metallic anode in the hot water heater can increase the production of the black sulfur. A powered anode can be used to protect the tank without contributing to the sulfur. Something like this can do wonders: »www.discountwatersofteners.com/t···oot.html

Maybe there is a mix of sulfur and iron that is black yet magnetic.

reply to pende_tim
Sounds a bit like manganese. Usually it's in solution and leaves behind black staining on fixtures but a little searching reveals it can exist in particulate form and is paramagnetic. I would have the water tested.
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Zach

reply to StillLearn
This is in the cold water, so I doubt it would be from the hot water heater.

Also no sulfurous smell in hot or cold.
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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

reply to pende_tim
Could be Magnetite: »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetite

Its common stuff, walk along any beach around the great lakes and you will find bands of it (as black sand streaks).

Interestingly Magnetite is called Black Rust. Found this which I thought interesting from a reputable source

"Q. What is magnetite?

A. Magnetite is fully oxidized iron ore (FE3O4). It is completely inert; it cannot rust; it doesn’t degrade with time or usage; it has no effect on biological floc; and it is not magnetic itself; i.e., it doesn’t stick to metal. If you have ever played with an “Etch-a-Sketch,” the material inside the toy is magnetite."

»www.water.siemens.com/en/product···aqs.aspx

reply to pende_tim
Very interesting. I never knew about these things possibly being in water.

It is making sense now that it could be something from the ground water as friend did mention that his neighbor has same problem and put a whole house filter in to solve the problem.

We initially discounted this as my friends well is 130' and his neighbor's is 600' so would think that it would be in a different pool of water. But I guess they could be in the same aquifer.
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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

reply to robbin

reply to StillLearn
From your description I tend to agree with others here it is magnetite. Certainly not any form of sulfur.

When I used to help a brother-in-law (owns his own residential well business) some installations had a lot of fine sand in their water. He would use a centrifugal well filter something like this;

»www.cleanwaterstore.com/centrifu···ors.html

I'm guessing it would work in your situation depending on the granular sizes.

I have one of them, but it didn't really work on my fine silt - I ended up having to filter anyway.

reply to Zach 58

If this has just recently started, then I will make a guess that it is as a result of drought and lower than usual water level in the well. It's starting to draw from the lower part of the well which may have never been used before. Experience here, my well has gone dry the last three summers and many neighbors have either gone dry or gotten really low. When they get lower than they have historically they start pumping stuff up that they normally don't. Just googled and it looks like there has been drought in your area recently and probably still is.

reply to pende_tim
Do they not have a whole house filter where the pipe comes in? It should be catching all that. We use a basic paper filter.

No filter, but I see installing one for them in my future. LOL.

reply to pende_tim
I have that in my well also, it's magnesium and gets in the aerators. If that's what it is then it's nothing to worry about, we've been drinking it for 30 years. We have to clean out the faucets several times a year.

I don't believe that magnesium is attracted to magnets.

reply to linus5171
I did not know magnesium was magnetic and could be picked up with a magnet. One of the prior posters said it could be manganese as that could be magnetic.

Yes this stuff is blocking the aerators like yours. Can it be picked up with a magnet?
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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

I think your terminology is a little off. If an object is magnetic, then it attracts ferrous and some other metals. In other words, if it is magnetic then it is a magnet.

Actually can attract and be attreacted.....

mag·net·ic  (mg-ntk)
adj.
1.
a. Of or relating to magnetism or magnets.
b. Having the properties of a magnet.
c. Capable of being magnetized or attracted by a magnet.
d. Operating by means of magnetism: a magnetic recorder.
2. Relating to the magnetic poles of the earth: a magnetic compass bearing.
3. Having an unusual power or ability to attract: a magnetic personality.
mag·neti·cal·ly adv.
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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

reply to StillLearn

quote:

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aluminum powder, which I buy commercially.
(Incidentally, it's also the stuff that creates the image inside
an Etch A Sketch.)

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