Has your tap water developed a rotten egg smell? Hydrogen sulfide is typically the cause of odors that mimic rotten eggs or sulfur. This potent gas is colorless and generally safe to consume, but it's certainly not odorless. Smelly water is unsettling, but can be resolved with a water treatment or filtration system.
While safe to consume in most cases, high amounts of hydrogen sulfide in well water can lead to digestive discomfort, stomach cramps or dehydration. It's important to get your well system evaluated fully to determine any larger issues at play. In this guide, we’ll walk through common causes, fixes and implications for hydrogen sulfide in well water.
How to Diagnose Where the Smell is Coming From
There are simple steps you can take to pinpoint the source of the odor. Hydrogen sulfide gas can originate from your main water supply or develop inside your plumbing appliances.
Testing Hot vs. Cold Water
To determine the issue, test hot and cold water separately at multiple fixtures.
- Walk to a faucet, run the cold water for 1-2 minutes, fill a clean gas, step away from the sink and smell it.
- Repeat the process using only hot water.
- Test multiple faucets across the home to ensure consistent results.
Odor ONLY in Hot Water
If the smell is present only when running hot water, the groundwater itself is likely clear. The culprit is likely a chemical reaction inside your water heaters. At Ralph's Pump & Well, we service hot water tanks to help remedy any water quality issues.
Odor in BOTH Hot and Cold Water
If the odor is present in both water temperatures, the issue likely originates from your water supply. This typically indicates the presence of sulfur bacteria living inside the well casing, pressure tank or deep within groundwater.
How Does Hydrogen Sulfide Get into Well Water?
Understanding how hydrogen sulfide originates will help you choose the right long-term fix. Hydrogen sulfide enters the home in three primary ways:
Sulfur Bacteria
Sulfur bacteria are naturally-occurring, non-disease causing microorganisms that thrive in environments where oxygen isn't present. They feed on natural sulfates present in soil and decaying organic matter, converting sulfates into hydrogen sulfide gas as byproduct.
Groundwater Contamination and Organic Decay
In many areas, natural geological formations contain rocks and minerals rich in sulfur. As groundwater trickles through underground deposits or organic decay, it leaches these minerals directly into your well supply.
Chemical Reactions in Water Heaters
If the smell is isolated to hot water, the source is likely in the water heater, not the well. Most water heaters contain a magnesium anode rod designed to prevent tank corrosion. When sulfates in your water react with the anode rod, it creates a chemical reaction that fills your hot water tank with hydrogen sulfide gas.
Identifying Other Symptoms
You may notice other symptoms alongside a rotten egg smell, including:
- Black fleck or discolored water: Tiny black flecks, dark streaks or a dingy, greyish tint may appear in sinks, bathtubs, and sometimes freshly washed laundry.
- Slime buildup in inside fixtures: A thick, sticky slime (often reddish brown, black or grey) can form inside sinks, tubs and toilets.
- Cloudy or murky water: Water can appear hazy or muddy right out the tap, often taking a long time to clear up.
- Secondary odors: The sharp sulfur smell may be mixed with earthy, musty or sewage-like odors.
- Staining and corrosion: Blue-green or reddish stains can show up on porcelain sinks, along with corrosion marks or tiny pinhole leaks starting to form on visible piping.
How to Fix Well Water That Smells Like Rotten Eggs
Smelly water is disruptive, but also very common and treatable. The following professional treatments will resolve the issue, depending on the odor source.
Shock Chlorination
If sulfur bacteria have colonized your well casing or distribution pipes, shock chlorination is the first step. The process involves pouring a concentrated chlorine solution directly down the well, circulating it through the entire water system, letting it sit overnight to kill bacterial colonies and thoroughly flushing the lines.
Water Treatment Systems
For persistent, heavy sulfur concentrations in your main supply, continuous treatment is required. Our professional water specialists can test your water and install a treatment system tailored to your well. These filtration systems solutions neutralize and extract hydrogen sulfide gas before the the water ever reaches your taps, giving you fresh-tasting and smelling water throughout your home.
Learn more about our water treatment and filtration services.
Ongoing Inspections & Quality Testing
Because well water is susceptible to groundwater contamination and shifting mineral levels, annual inspections help maintain good water quality and prevent unpleasant odors from returning. At Ralph's Pump & Well, we provide routine inspections and testing to ensure water treatment system function optimally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to drink water that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur?
In most cases, water that smells like rotten eggs is safe to drink, though it can be extremely unappetizing. The odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide gas. At the low concentrations typically found in residential well systems, it is not toxic or harmful to health. However, higher levels of hydrogen sulfide gas can lead to digestive issues or dehydration.
Can I shower if water smells like rotten eggs?
Yes, it is generally safe to shower in well water where hydrogen sulfide is present, though the odor may be unpleasant.
How do you fix bad smelling well water?
The type of fix to administer depends on the source of the odor. This can range from replacing the water heater, performing shock chlorination, or utilizing a water treatment and filtration system.
What is well water tested for?
At Ralph's Pump and Well, we test water for coliform bacteria, nitrates and arsenic. We always share detailed results with home owners, and walk through recommended next steps depending on the issue.
Restoring Clean, Fresh Water to Your Home
While sulfur in well water is a frustrating and disruptive issue, it is entirely solvable with the right diagnosis and treatment plan. Because hydrogen sulfide gas can originate form different sources, a Ralph's Pump & Well professional evaluation is the quickest way to get to the root of the problem. Whether the issue is coming from the well, pipes, or water heater, we’ll diagnose the problem and get your fresh, running water restored.
Contact Ralph's Pump & Well to get rid of smelly water. We'll perform a water quality test, pinpoint the source of the odor and recommend a tailored treatment solution.