Egg Smell

Gross... we know. Sulfur odor coming out of the faucet is never a pleasant experience. We can get rid of the odor, but there are some things you need to know about h2s (hydrogen sulfide). In water, hydrogen sulfide gas is typically produced by a family of Sulfur Reducing Bacteria (SRB) which are non-pathogenic (harmless) slime forming bacteria common whenever sulfur compounds are present in water. Depending on conditions (temperature, dissolved oxygen, etc.) present, the sulfur reducing bacteria may or may not flourish in a particular location. It is common for sulfur odor to be present in the hot water and not in the cold water. This is why it is critical to know where the sulfur odor is located, to determine the appropriate treatment option.

If the sulfur odor is only present in the hot water, changing the water heater anode rod and sanitizing the water heater is effective at treating the sulfur odor.
What if the egg smell comes back? It likely will. We recommend repeating this procedure, as needed. Hydrogen sulfide can be a pain!
I just installed a brand new water heater with a brand new anode rod - Why does my water still smell like rotten eggs? In many cases, brand new water heaters are equipped with a low-grade anode rod. We recommend a tri-metal (tin, aluminum & zinc) or an electric anode rod. The electric rods are more expensive to purchase but will last much longer (see instructions on changing the anode rod).

‍If the sulfur odor is present at the pressure tank and/or well head, a Sulfur Filter is effective at treating the odor.
What if I start to smell the odor after installing a sulfur filter? In some cases, we may need to alter the design of the system to accommodate extreme cases of h2s. Also, it's critical that no water is used (toilets, sinks, tubs/showers, laundry, irrigation, dishwasher, etc.) while the filtration is regenerating (normally between midnight & 5am). In order to regenerate at the correct time, the clock on the valve must be set to the current time of day (see instructions on setting the clock).

If you have any more questions or concerns, contact us and we'd be happy to help!