Has anyone else faced issues with their well water smelling like rotten eggs, and if so, how did you resolve it without having to drill a new well?
Hey guys, just wondering if anyone else has dealt with well water issues before and how you fixed the problem. Our water source is solely from our well, and we’ve been having a stinky situation. Every few months, our water starts smelling like rotten eggs and it’s really gross. The odor affects both our hot and cold water, so it’s a total bummer. Even running the dishwasher or washing machine makes the whole house stink. Our go-to solution is to bleach the well and then flush out all the water lines about a day later. It’s tricky in the winter though, because we have to worry about our outside hydrants freezing.
Just some background info: we’ve replaced all the plumbing in our house with PEX, our hot water heater and pressure tank are pretty new (within the last 3 years), and we have a water softener that we make sure to keep clean.
Anyone else been through this? Any tips on how to deal with it without having to dig a whole new well? Thanks in advance for any advice!
I also deal with high levels of sulfur/iron in my well water. Regularly flushing your water tank and changing the filter every six months can help alleviate the smell, although it may not eliminate it completely.
In our region, many people encounter a sulfur smell in their water. One common solution is to set up a large cistern with ports, connect it to a standard submersible pump with a float switch, and then use a jet pump from the cistern to supply the house. Aeration can be beneficial for releasing the sulfur-laden dissolved air. Since we don’t have to worry about freezing temperatures in the South, you might want to consider this setup based on your water usage, aeration needs, and the possibility of insulating or using an underground cistern.
When you use an outdoor hose for water that comes before the water softener or hot water heater, do you notice the same odor? It could indicate bad water quality or the presence of iron-eating bacteria, likely in the softener resin tank and water heater. How is the anode rod in the heater holding up? A good anode rod can make a difference. Another option is to sanitize the water heater by removing the anode rod and treating the tank with bleach while the well is turned off.
Certain water heaters may be sensitive to varying water qualities. For instance, Bradford is one brand that is known for this.
It’s not about the brand of water heater, it’s about the type of anode rod inside. She’s noticing the smell on the cold side as well. For customers who only experience the smell on the hot side, we recommend installing a powered anode rod. The sulfur smell is caused by the reaction of the magnesium anode rod with bacteria in the water.
Ny Ziegler this isn’t my post
It’s probably a bacteria causing issues in your well. Have you considered installing a bleach/chlorine injection system to treat the water? Unfortunately, there’s no permanent solution other than drilling deeper or connecting to rural water. This is a common problem in North Dakota with shallow wells.
I’ve got a 396 ft deep well in West Virginia that acts up too, so we just bleach it monthly. Been doing it my whole life and I’m 54 now.
Have you considered exploring different filtration options for your water?
We use an iron buster type system to address the bad egg smell in our water. This system works wonders and I’m happy to share more information if you’re interested. Feel free to send me a message so I can help you further.
Please make sure to have your well water tested. In Missouri, my parents’ well had an odor issue that was resolved by testing and treating the water. Initially, it needed to be tested yearly for the first three years. They added 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach to the well and after 30 days, the water was clear and safe to drink, and the odor was gone. It’s important to get it tested.
Is there anyone with chemistry knowledge who can share how to safely neutralize sulfur?
Aluminum…sulphur reacts
Uses bleach
Have you checked the water quality through testing? What were the results?
Sulfur is not good for your water quality. You may want to consider getting a well test done to pinpoint the source of the issue. If hydrogen sulfide levels are high before entering your plumbing, there may not be much you can do. However, if levels are lower, the issue may be within your system. Personally, I recommend a 3-stage whole house water filtration system. I have high iron content in my water and no smell thanks to the filter.
Sulfur is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is yellow in color and is commonly found in nature.
Having an iron filter can solve this issue. Mine will be installed on Tuesday.
I suggest checking the quality of your well water. We installed a UV light for filtration and switched from a magnesium anode rod to a powered anode rod.
Reverse Osmosis 👍
The most recent house I constructed cost $1,500
And the best part is, it doesn’t require much space at all!
Oh yeah, we’ve dealt with that issue at our cabin before. We usually use hydrogen peroxide to get rid of it. It’s caused by bacteria and high iron levels.
Did you know that hydrogen peroxide can cause vomiting? How are you dealing with it? The water has sulfur, some regions have it but it’s not due to bacteria. Installing a couple of filters in your home or getting a whole house filter for around 60 dollars should solve the issue
Hydrogen peroxide acts as both an oxidizer and an antiseptic. It’s commonly used to treat drinking water. Luckily, we haven’t experienced any issues so far. We actually have a whole house filter that we’ve been using for many years. The hydrogen peroxide takes care of the problem right away. Check out this website for more information: https://iwaponline.com/ws/article/22/12/8527/91945/A-10-year-critical-review-on-hydrogen-peroxide-as
I prefer using bleach over peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide actually neutralizes on its own after a couple of hours. That’s the trick for deep cleaning contact lenses – just leave them overnight, rinse, and they’re good to go.
Yep, I think it breaks down into water and oxygen when there’s water around.
It’s just H2O breaking it down! We’ve had success with it as well. There are even toothpastes with peroxide – no problem at all. 😊👍🏻
Yep, that’s sulfur water for you. As long as you can handle the smell, it’s actually safe to drink. Personally, I have it at home too and I’ve found that using a whole-house filter gets rid of the odor. I also have filters on some faucets, but the whole-house filter does the job well and it’s simple to install. I had multiple plumbers come over, trying to sell me expensive equipment that wouldn’t even fit in my house. Turns out, all I needed was this $60 filter. Just remember to replace the filter monthly or as needed, and you should be good to go.
Have you checked the cold water side as well? Installing a powered anode rod could be worth a try. You can find one for $130 on Amazon.
Iron bacteria could be the culprit. Chlorine treatments can offer temporary relief. Consider shocking the system with chlorine to potentially solve the issue. Be cautious with chlorine and PEX piping. It can wear out certain types of PEX and other components. Sunlight can also cause damage. If the problem persists, it might be magnesium or manganese causing the metallic taste and odor in your water. A whole house filtration system could be a solution.
This is a huge one that was installed in a beautiful greenhouse for a family, it required a large tank because they were utilizing it for irrigation and needed significant amounts of water.
Sulfur Issue
No quick solution
Costly
Consult a professional and conduct a test
Hold on, you have well water and no water filtration? I have a 5-filter system for the whole house and reverse osmosis/alkaline under the sink. You need filtration, a water softener just softens. Chlorinating the well every time it smells is not ideal. Shock the system right at the start. Have you had water samples taken? It may take a few weeks for results, but it’s essential. And not just the CO test, it’s around $400 but they test everything and you design your system based on the results.
Hey there, just wanted to share that we have two wells – one at home and one at our cabin. I’m 54 and we’ve been pouring a gallon of bleach down the well every month for as long as I can remember. We’ve never used filtration systems and our water feels so soft and slick. Some folks recommend using bleach or a peroxide injector if they don’t want to invest in expensive filter systems.
Ever thought about how much you’ve shelled out for bleach over 54 years, treating two wells every month? Soft water isn’t ideal for drinking and has been linked to high blood pressure.
I can’t justify spending 8k on two filter systems at a dollar a gallon. Plus, no one in my family has high blood pressure. I have never been hospitalized, and neither has my 77-year-old mom.
Hey, not sure what kind of system someone tried to sell you. Ours was a bit over $1000, it refreshes itself and eliminates the need to add anything to our well. It also gets rid of any smell or taste. Glad to hear you’re all doing well, despite the slimy water. 😜
I didn’t put in too much effort to search, maybe exaggerated a little, haha. I got a quote for my AirBnB from a company and the estimate came out to be $3k. Also, I have a natural spring on the property that has been tested and it has the most delicious water I’ve ever tasted.
Haha yeah, if someone told me 8k for that, I would have laughed so hard I might have passed out, not drowned. 🤣
You have the option to purchase special anode rods for your water heater that are designed to eliminate the sulfur smell.
If you have a water softener and use well water, the odor may be caused by the interaction between the anode rod in the water heater and the softener. Switching the anode rod to aluminum can help prevent this reaction. Although some may suggest breaking off the anode rod, it will significantly reduce the water heater’s lifespan. If you’re unsure about the location of the anode rod in your water heater, you can search for the model number online along with “anode rod” to find the manufacturer’s guidance in the installation manual.
We’ve experienced a similar situation. Our family members who specialize in well installation informed us that the issue is likely due to the depth of the well and the presence of minerals. Installing an outdoor filter at the pump may provide some relief, but chlorination might still be necessary. Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick solution for us either. I understand your frustration.
Check the quality of your water by sending a sample to a lab for analysis. This will help you identify any issues and receive recommendations on how to address them.
Sulfur
It’s probably a clog in the drain line. You can try using 1/4 cup of baking soda followed by 1/4 cup of vinegar in the sink drains that the appliances use. You might have to get them replaced, but this is a simple temporary solution.
The sulfur tends to build up at the bottom of your well. Your best bet is to use bleach and clear it out every few months.
I’m . I’ve been pouring a gallon into my well every few weeks for as long as I can remember. Mine goes down to 396 feet.
A basic carbon filter canister, placed after the pressure tank but before anything else, handles that for us. We change the filter every 3 months.
If you suspect the problem is with your well, the first step would be to remove the well pump and inspect the well. Maybe you’ve already done that.
Once the well pump is out, check the bottom of the well. Is there something causing the issue? Maybe debris or even sabotage?
It might be as simple as cleaning the bottom of the well.
Understand the geology and hydrology of the area.
Identify the source of contamination.
Think about using a cistern, clean it, treat it, and ensure proper ventilation.
You could also consider filtering well water through a series of food-grade barrels filled with sand, then pass it into the cistern, treat it, filter it, and use an ohm meter to test the water quality.
I heard about someone I know facing a similar issue, and they were told they needed to get a new well 😬 Apparently, they had a 34-year-old “2 inch well” (I’m not well-versed in well terminology) that no one would service. This played a role in the decision to replace the well. If your well is newer, there might still be a chance for a professional to help you out.
I am currently trying to figure this out, but it’s only with the hot water heater. The well guy mentioned high iron levels in my water, so we installed a whole house filter which helped a bit. However, the hot water still has an odor. I attempted to raise the temperature to eliminate the issue, but it seems like either bleaching or changing the anode rod that doesn’t react with iron is necessary. Both my building contractor and well installer are blaming each other, but I believe the plumber should focus on the water heater since the cold water is fine.
You know, I’ve been pouring a gallon of bleach down my 400 ft deep well every few weeks for as long as I can remember, and it’s always done the trick. It’s just the water in that area, nothing to do with contractors.
Do you remember to drain your water heater at least once a year? Sediments tend to settle at the bottom of the water heater, and it’s recommended to drain it annually as a maintenance practice.
It seems like they’ve installed the in-line filter after the hot water heater.
Have you checked if there’s an anode in your hot water tank? You can find a video on YouTube on how to replace it. It’s a sacrificial anode, and when it wears out, your hot water might start smelling like rotten eggs. This could potentially fix your issue. It’s a good starting point and not a costly solution.
Recommends adding hydrogen peroxide from time to time to solve the issue! It’s a harmless yet pesky bacteria that thrives in water rich in iron.
I was raised around wells and to get rid of the sulfur smell, you can pour a gallon of household bleach down the well each month. There’s a recommended amount, but since my well is about 400 ft deep, I stick with a gallon. Another solution is using an anode rod for your water heater. The bleach method has been effective for me for the past 54 years of my life.
Have you ever had your water tested? Your local environmental health department might offer testing services. I remember it cost me around $25. Sounds like you might be dealing with sulfur water.
I completely agree with you. It might be sulfur, but without testing, you’re just guessing and could end up wasting money. I live in Northern VT where most wells are 300-500 ft deep. We deal with sulfur, iron, methane, and if you’re really unlucky, saltwater from the Champlain Sea at around 275 ft deep. :-S
I use a system with a small air compressor and 3 small tanks to eliminate sulfur. No need for chemicals.
You’ve got sulfur water. There are solutions for that. A friend of mine in the Catskills (NY) has it. It’s harmless, just smelly.
Every well should have a whole house particulate filter right away. Change the cartridge AT LEAST every 6 months.
After that, it depends on your water. Get it tested. Address any issues.
A water softener only addresses extreme hardness. If there’s sulfur, that needs to be addressed separately.
We have a small in-line filter set up downstream of the well pump. We’re not great at changing it regularly, but it definitely helps (usually once a month).
We also utilize a product that sanitizes the well and lines every half-year.
Make sure to test your water for sulfur, which can be treated with an iron filter. Also check for hardness and consider installing a softener if necessary.
Why does the smell and concentration increase over time? Shouldn’t it be consistent? Could there be something growing in the water? Additionally, bleach is harsh on well metal components, causing challenges over time for well maintenance. This can lead to rust issues and difficulties when replacing the pump.
To address the smell in our hot water heater, we use hydrogen peroxide every 2-3 months, and the odor disappears completely! While there are pricey systems available, we simply added a valve that we can open/close above the cold water input. At our family’s cabin nearby, bacteria also started accumulating in the toilet tank on the cold line. Adding H2O2 to the tank solved the issue for several months.
You should consider getting an iron curtain put in
The Iron Zapper.
There’s sulfur in the water. I think you can fix it with a filter. Some wells nearby have also dealt with this issue
I increased the temperature on my hot water heater and it evaporates quickly… just have to watch out for that when there are little ones around
That foul smell of rotten eggs is actually sulfur. You need a proper treatment solution for it. Aerators, charcoal filters, etc., can help. When sulfur enters the air (through faucets and showers), it can also affect your AC system by reacting with the copper coils and causing them to dissolve. I ended up having to repair my AC unit multiple times before investing in a good water treatment system. Sulfur can also damage any copper water pipes it comes in contact with.