What Causes Rotten Egg & Sulfur Smells in Water?

If your water has a rotten egg or sulfur smell, you’re not alone — this is a common issue many homeowners face. While the odor isn’t typically harmful, it can make drinking, cooking, and even bathing an unpleasant experience.

Before applying a solution, it’s crucial to identify the source of the sulfur smell. It can come from your well water, plumbing system, water heater, or another system, and each requires a different approach for effective treatment. When you pinpoint the specific cause, you can choose the right treatment to improve your water quality and eliminate the odor.

In this guide, we’ll explore some causes of a sulfuric odor in water, how to identify the cause in your specific problem, and some ways you can remove the smell yourself.

Causes of Sulfur Odor in Water

The off-putting sulfuric odor is usually caused by hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S), which can develop due to naturally occurring sulfur bacteria in groundwater, chemical reactions in water heaters, or decaying organic matter in plumbing systems.

The rotten egg smell can also form from sulfate-reducing bacteria in water heaters, which can produce compounds in warm environments. Organic material and sulfur bacteria may also accumulate in private wells.

Municipal water systems can also be affected due to aging infrastructure or chemical reactions to water treatments.

How To Identify the Cause of Sulfur Smell in Water

Identifying the specific cause of a sulfur smell in your water is key to finding the right solution for eliminating it. Depending on where the smell is coming from, you can try these methods to detect the cause:

• Cold vs. hot water test: If the smell comes from hot water alone, it may indicate a water heater issue.
• Sink vs. whole-house test: The problem is likely localized if only certain taps are affected.
• Well water testing: Test for hydrogen sulfide, bacteria, and iron levels in your well water.
• Municipal water reports: Check local water quality reports for contamination issues in the municipal water systems.

4 Tips To Remove Rotten Egg & Sulfur Smell From Water

Fortunately, there are some DIY methods to try to remove the sulfuric smell from your water:

Flush Your Water Heater

Draining and flushing your water heater regularly may help remove the bacteria buildup that contributes to the smell, but isn’t a complete solution. For the best results, you may add bleach and allow it to sit for four to six hours, then flush thoroughly.  

Also, consider replacing the anode rod with an aluminum rod or consider a powered anode rod.

Shock Chlorination for Well Water

You can disinfect well water by using a shock chlorination method to eliminate sulfate-reducing bacteria. While effective, this is a temporary solution. If hydrogen sulfide gas is in the aquifer, the odor will return in one to three months. 

Use a Hydrogen Peroxide or Chlorine Injection System

Using a hydrogen peroxide or chlorine injection system offers continuous treatment for well water with persistent sulfur issues. These systems kill bacteria and neutralize odors.

Consider a Natural Aeration System

Water Doctor offers natural aeration to treat sulfur. This process avoids chlorine and its carcinogenic by-products. Aeration requires no homeowner maintenance and is better for hair and skin.

Check Plumbing & Drain Maintenance

Rarely used taps can lead to odors from stagnant water, so run water through these taps to clear out any issues. You should also clean your drains and P-traps to remove bacterial buildup that can lead to sulfur odors.

When To Call a Professional

If the sulfur odor persists despite treatments, there may be a deeper issue that requires professional attention. Call a professional for reliable well water testing to identify the root cause and determine the best solution.

The odor may also be linked to plumbing issues, which require professional attention.

Choose Water Doctor for Expert Water Solutions in Maryland

In business since 1979, Water Doctor is Maryland’s top choice for expert water care. We’ll provide a free water analysis to determine the root cause of rotten egg odors and provide a dependable solution.

Contact our professionals to discuss water testing and consultation for your home. We’re here to help resolve hard-to-fix issues.

Schedule professional water treatment services with our team by contacting us today.