Why does well water stink

Perceptible water quality issues may indicate the presence of a contaminant or other water quality problems. The smell of sulfur or even a chlorine odor may not necessarily indicate that your water is unsafe to drink. If your water smells like rotten eggs, that likely indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas.

This could be due to a problem with your water heater or naturally occurring sulfur bacteria , especially in well water. These issues can produce hydrogen sulfide, which leaves an unpleasant scent wherever it goes. Tap water that contains hydrogen sulfide gas or sulfur bacteria is sometimes referred to as sulfur water. Hydrogen sulfide gas, which smells like rotten eggs, may occur naturally in well water. Less commonly, it could be due to a direct source of pollution.

Most frequently, however, the smell of sulfur in your water is likely due to the existence of sulfate-reducing bacteria, which produces hydrogen sulfide as a byproduct.

Even small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can lead to the smell or taste of sulfur in drinking water. Usually, this emerges because of a combination in your water of both sulfate, which is a naturally occurring element found throughout the environment, and the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria. These microorganisms produce hydrogen sulfide as a byproduct when the bacterium feeds off of the sulfate, reducing the sulfate to sulfide. An electric water heater may also inadvertently produce hydrogen sulfide.

Typically, these water heaters include a magnesium anode rod made of magnesium sulfate to help prevent corrosion of the water heater. If this anode rod corrodes, this can result in the production of free electrons in the water, which stimulate the reaction between sulfate-reducing bacteria and sulfate that produces hydrogen sulfide and therefore the rotten egg smell.

You may be surprised to know that there are over chemicals found in drinking water across the US. For many people it can be a common problem to have strange odors coming from their tap water, especially if the supply comes from a well or still source.

If you have hydrogen sulfide in your water supply, the main reason your hot water can smell like rotten eggs, it can damage pipes as it corrodes many different types of metals and can also cause black stains on silverware and plumbing fixtures.

In most cases drinking water that has a strong rotten egg odor, although particularly unpleasant, is perfectly safe to drink. If you do experience any new odors it is always important to find the source of the problem by checking taps and water supplies around the building.

If you are concerned about what is in your water you can purchase test kits that will check the levels of hydrogen sulfide, sulfate, sulfur bacteria, and iron bacteria. Black stains on silverware and plumbing fixtures signs of hydrogen sulfide gas. Corrosion on pipes and metal components of the water distribution system signs of hydrogen sulfide gas. Have your water tested at a laboratory. Consider Testing Your Water In most cases, the rotten egg smell does not relate to the sanitary quality of the water.

What You Can Do The first step is to find out what the source of the issue is; that will let you know what treatment option is best. How to Find the Source After you have been away from your home for a few hours, smell the water coming out of the hot and cold water faucets. If the Problem is in the Water Heater Unless you are very familiar with water heater operation and maintenance, have a plumber or water system professional to do the work. Replace or remove the magnesium anode.

Many water heaters have a magnesium anode, which is attached to a plug located on top of the water heater. It can be removed by turning off the water, releasing the pressure from the water heater, and unscrewing the plug. Be sure to plug the hole. Removal of the anode, however, may significantly decrease the life of the water heater. You may wish to consult with a water heater dealer to determine if a replacement anode made of a different material, such as aluminum, can be installed.

A replacement anode may provide corrosion protection without contributing to the production of hydrogen sulfide gas. Disinfect and flush the water heater with a chlorine bleach solution. Chlorination can kill sulfur bacteria. If all bacteria are not destroyed by chlorination, the problem may return within a few weeks.

Increase the water heater temperature to degrees Fahrenheit 71 degrees Celsius for several hours. This will destroy the sulfur bacteria. Flushing to remove the dead bacteria after treatment should control the odor problem. How Hydrogen Sulfide Gas is Produced in a Water Heater A water heater can provide an ideal environment for the conversion of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide gas.

If the Problem is in the Well, Plumbing System, or Water Softener Disinfect the well and plumbing system with a strong chlorine solution. If the Problem is in Groundwater Installing home water treatment or drilling a new well in a different formation are both options. The gas is trapped by the carbon until the filter is saturated. Since the carbon filter can remove substances in addition to hydrogen sulfide gas, it is difficult to predict its service life.

Some large carbon filters have been known to last for years, while some small filters may last for only weeks or even days. This type of treatment is often used to treat iron problems in water. The device consists of manganese greensand media, which is sand coated with manganese dioxide. The hydrogen sulfide gas in the water is changed to tiny particles of sulfur as it passes through the filter. The filter must be periodically regenerated, using potassium permanganate, before the capacity of the greensand is exhausted.

Aeration and filtration. Continuous chlorination and filtration.