I recently have become involved in a bad well water problem. It is located in the agricultural area of Genoa, NY. It is in a valley. Also about a mile up the road from them is a gravel quarry. As for clues to the water problem. No nitrates or bacteria. Gold fish went belly up after 24hrs. Snails died after 48hrs and were actually trying to leave their shells. Cat started vomiting and got the "runs". House plants started to wither and die (Coffee bean tree, Palm tree, Cactus, Ferns). Smell is very nasty and nauseating to some. Taste is horrific. I tasted it and I thought it had a metallic taste that was dry like wine. The after taste was so bad I had to eat some hot peppers to get rid of it. Temperature changes from 50 degrees F to 140 F has no effect on taste or smell. Does anybody have a clue a to what could be in it?

Hi upny67 and welcome, there's no way someone online can answer your question but a lab can do a test and tell exactly what's in your water. Check with your local health dept. for guidance. Good luck

Do you have any fracking operations ongoing in your area?
This report for Genoa, NY indicates among other things that a moratorium was enacted but that certain operations already begun, could continue.
http://documents.foodandwaterwatch.org/doc/Frack_Actions_GenoaNY.pdf
Do your neighbors have water problems?
Have you had an official analysis done by the health dept. or private lab?

I agree... all anyone can do is guess... but if you have your water tested you can find out EXACTLY what is wrong and how danerous it is... not everything that makes water unpalitable actually makes it unsafe for consumption. You need to know for certain.

I have had the normal tests done for bacteria and nitrates and they were both negative. I have also tested hardness and other basic tests and they all show nothing. The problem is, and to quote the lab "We have never cam across water that smelled like or tasted like this". Plus every test has a fee and if I don't have a direction to go, $$$$$$ will add up quickly. So I am happy to get any educated guesses. Thank you

Hi again upny67, smearcase made a good point for you to start with, is drilling going on around your property? Chemical plant or manufacturing? Big farming or the like? All use chemical that could affect your water.