Why Does My Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

If your tap water smells like rotten eggs, or sulphur, it's often a sign that there is hydrogen sulfide gas present. Because heat will allow the gas escape into the air more easily, the odor will usually be strongest when running hot water in the shower. In higher concentrations, hydrogen sulfide can corrode metals, causing yellowing or black stains (metallic sulfides) on metal plumbing fixtures. It can also affect the appearance and taste of drinking water and food cooked in water. Fortunately, the levels of hydrogen sulfide found in drinking water are small enough that they are not harmful to humans.

What Causes Hydrogen Sulfide In Water?

There are a couple of reasons your home's water may smell like rotten eggs from hydrogen sulfide, they include: 1. Well water with decaying organic material or soil that causes chemical reactions of sulphur-containing minerals. 2. Water heaters that generate hydrogen sulfide gas through the magnesium anode rod, which supplies electrons that sustain the reaction of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide gas.

Solving Hydrogen Sulfide Problems in the Water Supply

When the problem is occurring with the water supply itself, such as a well, installing a whole-house water treatment system is usually the most effective long-term solution. If the odor is a result of the hot water system, modifying the hot water heater may reduce the odor. The process involves replacing the water heater's magnesium anode rod with one made of aluminum or other metal may improve the situation.