Does your water smell like rotten eggs? If so, it’s a sure sign that hydrogen sulfide or sulfates are in your water. Trace amounts of sulfide appear in most water sources, but it only gives off a sulfur smell when it’s a hundred times over its typical concentration.
In short, this means you have a problem. The smell is unpleasant enough, but hydrogen sulfide and sulfates can also present problems for you and your house. Protect your health and wallet. Read our guide to learn five simple ways you can remove the sulfur odors from your water.
Why Does my Water Have a Sulfur Smell?
You know that the sulfur smell comes from the presence of hydrogen sulfide and sulfates, but where is it coming from? Sulfate bacteria release hydrogen sulfide into your water system. But that’s one culprit.
Hydrogen sulfide and sulfates are also naturally occurring and can contaminate groundwater. Another possibility, some water heaters catalyze chemical reactions and introduce hydrogen sulfide into your water.
Unfortunately, you can’t leave this alone. Hydrogen sulfide corrodes metal, meaning your pipes and silverware are at risk. If sulfate bacteria are the culprit, they also create a black sludge responsible for plumbing problems or leaving dark stains on your clothes and cutlery.
Hydrogen sulfides don’t cause ill health effects in humans, but they could be a sign of more serious contaminants. In contrast, sulfates act like laxatives in humans and can cause dehydration. The effects don’t last long, but if you have small children you may want to pay heed to the sulfates in your water.
To ensure hydrogen sulfides or sulfates are present in your home’s water system, pick up a test kit. These are readily accessible from most popular retailers. If your water tests are positive for hydrogen sulfide or sulfates, here are some steps you can take to remove the sulfur smell.
1. Find the Source
Determining the source and extent of sulfide contamination is easier than you might think. All you need is a working nose and a running faucet — preferably one with a significant volume, such as the one in your kitchen sink or utility room.
First, run the hot water. Is the smell still present? Sulfate bacteria thrive in warm environments, so this is to be expected.
Next, run the cold water. If there’s no smell or a smell that diminishes over time, this means the hydrogen sulfide is coming from your water heater. The sulfide will condense inside the cold water pipes. When you run the cold water, you are smelling that temporary build-up.
But if the smell persists over time in the cold and hot water alike, this is a sign of a more serious problem. The water supply could be contaminated with sulfate bacteria, sewage, or other dangerous substances. This is a serious problem that will require professional help.
2. Filter Your Water
So, you found the source of the sulfur smell and it’s not coming directly from your groundwater? That’s good news. If you aren’t concerned about the potential of plumbing damage, it’s still in your best interest to treat the water. Your clothes will be stained with black splotches, along with the contents of your dishwasher.
Sulfite gas is not easily removed by most filters. However, if sulfates are the culprit, they can be removed through distillation or a reverse osmosis filter.
3. Drain Your Water Tank
Since sulfate bacteria love the hot water, you’ll likely find them here in your hot water tank. To remove the source of hydrogen sulfide from your water, you’ll need to kill off the sulfate bacteria.
This process begins by completely draining your tank. Refill the tank with new water and set its temperature to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the water has reached this temperature, let it sit for at least eight hours. Replace the water once more and put it back at its normal temperature.
Is the scent gone? If so, you’ve removed the sulfate bacteria. If not, the sulfide may not be coming from bacteria at all. In some water tanks, a magnesium anode rod can create hydrogen sulfide. Replacing this with an aluminum rod will stop this chemical reaction.
4. Try Shock Chlorination
If you believe sulfate bacteria are in your private well or groundwater, shock chlorination may help. Don’t worry, nothing is actually getting shocked! Shock chlorination requires well owners to mix a chlorine-based chemical into their water supply.
If bacteria are responsible for the hydrogen sulfide in your water, the chlorine solution will disinfect your well and remove the sulfur smell.
5. Install a Carbon Filter
Perhaps sulfate bacteria aren’t responsible for the presence of hydrogen sulfide in your water. Since hydrogen sulfide is naturally occurring, it’s possible that your private water source has much more than usual.
A carbon filter is your best option. Carbon filters remove chlorine and most particles, tastes, and sulfur odors from your water. Even if your private well wasn’t contaminated with hydrogen sulfide, it’s a worthwhile expense to dramatically improve the quality of your water.
Still, need more information? Learn more about removing the hydrogen sulfide in your water.
Get More Home Advice
Diagnosing the source of the sulfur smell is as easy as turning on the faucet. Since some treatment plans are more expensive than others, such as installing filters, it may be wise to rely on a professional opinion.
Speaking of professional opinions, our home advice blog is frequently updated. We do our best to save you money and help you stay on top of your home’s maintenance.