Why has my water begun to smell like rotten eggs?

Question

First we noticed the smell when we used the clothes washer, then the smell was coming from our kitchen faucet, too. It's not always constant, though. The smell comes and goes from week to week. Now we are noticing the odor in our upstairs shower water. What is it and how do we make it stop?

Answer 1

Sounds like your water heater tank's anode rod has gone bad. This type of odor is frequently caused by a colony of sulfur-reducing bacteria inside the water heater if the odor is not present on the cold water supply. The environment inside the heater is favorable to the growth of these bacteria. If this is the case, then you should try either removing the anode rod in the new heater altogether or replace its stock magnesium rod with an aluminum rod. The latter would be preferable and usually works to eliminate the odor while still serving to preserve the lifespan of the heater.

Answer 2

you need to get your water tested for fecal Coliform.  The odd smell is a good indicator that you may have it.  You might also want to test for "iron bacteria" or biofouling, iron, manganese, and sulfur.

You should be able to find some to test for you under "water testing" in the yellowpages.

Below is a site that discusses the effects of Coliform.  Good luck.

Answer 3

There's probably sulfur in your water. Do you have a well, and has there been a dry period?

Using a water softener can help some. Consult a plumber about what else can be done.

Answer 4

good ole well water haven't smelled that in years. It's sulfur a water softener will help some. but if that doesn't work I don't think there is much else that can be done. I wish you the best with this "rotten Egg smell"

best of luck to ya,

Crystal S

Answer 5

It's sulfur, of course.  

Answer 6

I used to live in a town where all the water smelled like eggs.

We were renting, so we couldn't put in a softener or anything, but we did buy a faucet mount water filter and a shower head filter.

The smell varied based on the weather & precipitation, and got worse the hotter the water was.

If its just your water, it may be a reaction taking place in your hot water heater.  If the smell comes from the cold water too, and alo affects your neighbors, it's probably hydrogen sulfide in your water.  It won't hurt you, it's just gross smelling.

Answer 7

If you live in the city most likely it's the new thing they added to you water heater. You will see it on top. It unscrews, It's a replaceable rod that need replace sometimes. When you pull it out you will know if that you answer. And I bet it is..

Good luck to you.

Answer 8

You have sulfur in your water, go the county agriculture dept and take them a water sample and they will test it for you and tell you what to do to help your problem.

Answer 9

If you are on a well, and you don't live next to a geothermal formation, then get your water tested ASAP and in the meantime, stop drinking it.  

The last (and only) time I had exactly those same conditions (smelly shower, variable smell over time), someone on the property where I was living had started routing laundry waste-water into an old septic system that had been taken out of service because it was too close to the well.  

Answer 10

There's a rod in your water heater that can go bad. Have it checked.

Answer 11

It's sulfer

Answer 12

Do you get your water from a well or is this municipal water supply? Most deep groundwater wells contain hydrogen sulfide or sulfur which smells like rotten eggs. If you have a well, make sure that an aerator is installed which will help remove the sulfur from your water. If you have an aerator, make sure it is working. Call a local plumber to see if he can help you.