Sulfur Smell In Well Water Hot Water

Sulfur bacteria are naturally present in groundwater therefore the smell is most likely due to reactions occurring in your hot water and are not a threat to your health.

Sulfur smell in well water hot water.

Hydrogen sulfide typically enters the well water through naturally occurring bacteria. The smell can originate from hydrogen sulfide gas in softened water and can be from a number of sources. Sulfates in water as well as iron and sulfur bacteria can interact with the anode rod in water heaters. Sometimes hydrogen sulfide may be noticeable only in the hot water in the home.

The sulfur smell in hot water heaters typically originates because of two reasons. A less common problem that causes a sulfur odor is when you have a water softener and a magnesium anode rod inside the water heater. Why does my hot water have a sulfur smell. The smell of sulfur is produced when sulfur bacteria break down organic matter and release hydrogen sulfide gas often leaving an aroma of rotten eggs.

Generally seen living in a low oxygen environment such as water heaters deep wells as well as in the plumbing network this sulfate reducing bacteria take their energy from sulfur. However due to the smell being from the hot water it is likely in your hot water heater. It is perhaps more common in areas with shale or sandstone geology. The water sits stagnant in the well until it is used.

Softened water can sometimes accumulate hydrogen sulfide gas which gives off the offending rotten egg smell as it s released. Many well owners are immediately frightened by the thought of contaminants of any kind entering their water supply. Drilling a new well to find water with lower sulfur content may be a solution or be a waste of effort and money. This creates hydrogen sulfide gas which is the rotten egg smell in water.

The soft water breaks down the magnesium and creates sulfate gas within the water heater. Hydrogen sulfide problems are most common in wells drilled into acidic bedrock such as shale and sandstone. If there is only an odor in the hot water this indicates a problem with the water heater. The exchange material may eventually need replacing.

Rarely the sulfur smell can result from sewage entering the well. Although sulfur reducing bacteria can impart taste and odor in the water they do not cause health concerns for humans. Since they usually proliferate in hot water it is standard for the rotten egg smell to amplify when faced with these environments. If you have a well the water could be passing through a sulfur source or it could be contaminated by other chemicals that produce hydrogen sulfide as a byproduct for example nitrogen from.