Well Water Smells Like Sulfur Hot Water

Hydrogen sulfide can be fatal in high doses and it s flammable but because it has such a distinctive odor it s usually detected well before it becomes dangerous.

Well water smells like sulfur hot water. It isn t uncommon to experience an odd smell coming from your water especially if your water source is a well or other still supply. Naturally occurring a result of decay and chemical reactions with soil and rocks. If you only experience the smell when using your hot tap it may be a chemical reaction occurring inside your hot water heater and not a problem with your water supply. The only solution is to remove the gas.

Water that smells strongly of sulfur or like rotten eggs is likely attributed to the presence of sulfur bacteria or hydrogen sulfide. My hot and cold water smell like rotten eggs. The rotten egg smell in well water comes from hydrogen sulfide a gas produced by certain bacteria in the groundwater. While it is not necessarily dangerous for your water to smell like sulfur it may signify high levels of pollution or chemicals.

In addition the accumulation of hydrogen sulfide in the water heater can also trigger a strong sulfur smell every time you use the heater. And at levels this low hydrogen sulfide does not pose any health risks. The smell comes from hydrogen sulfide or h2s a colorless gas that announces its presence with a very distinct stench. Depending on your water source your water will contain various amounts naturally occurring sulfur.

Changing the anode rod to an aluminum rod can often solve this problem of having well water that smells like sulfur. This creates hydrogen sulfide gas which is the rotten egg smell in water. Still it s gross and you want it gone. If this is not convenient you can also hook up a water heater odor killer filter screen.

The good news is that your water most likely contains anywhere from 0 01 0 05 mg l of hydrogen sulfide. These unpleasant smells are commonly described as water smells like rotten eggs or sulfur smell in hot water. But if both your hot and cold water smell it s probably caused by naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide. This gas can occur in wells anywhere and be.

Your water probably also contains naturally occurring sulfate reducing bacteria. Produced by certain sulfur bacteria in the groundwater well or plumbing system. Even in small amounts hydrogen sulfide makes the water develop a horrible taste and smell. In our other examples hydrogen sulfide had a root cause like sulfur or bacteria.

Plumbing and water treatment companies are often faced with complaints pertaining to bad odors emanating from the water heaters. Hydrogen sulfide gas h2s can give water a rotten egg taste or odor. If your water smells like rotten eggs the odor is usually caused by the levels of sulfur bacteria and hydrogen sulfide that can be found in a building s water supply.