[200q20v] Noisy Water Pump after 2500 miles? Wha???

[Archibald, Jon]

I replaced my water pump approx. 9 months and 2500 miles ago along with the
timing belt. A few weeks ago, I noticed a "bad bearing rumbling" type of
noise very similar to the last time I had a water pump go out on a car. I do
NOT have a power steering pump or A/C compressor, and the noise definitely
seems to be coming from the front of the block. It is only noticeable at
idle, and has not seemed to get worse in the 200 miles or so I have driven
the car since I first noticed it. The motor is a 3B (20vt). Has anybody else
had a similar experience? Is it possible that the part could function
normally for quite a while, just more noisy than normal? I will most likely
be "undressing" the front end of the car for some other work this winter, so
I may just swap another one in at that point. Any BTDT, Advice, opinions?
Thanks and Best to All,
Jon