If you’ve ever mixed eggs with a cake mix and water and detected a rotten odor, it may not be the eggs that are rotten. It could be your water. Does your water smell like rotten eggs, and can this affect your health? Here’s what causes smelly water and how to get rid of it, along with our services.
Water that has a rotten-egg odor is usually a sign of hydrogen sulfide gas. It could stem from sulfur bacteria, which occurs naturally in well water. As a result, hydrogen sulfide is produced, which leads to an unpleasant odor. It only takes a small amount of hydrogen sulfide to cause water to smell like rotten eggs. Tap water containing sulfur bacteria or hydrogen sulfide gas is commonly known as sulfur water.
The cause could also be from an electric water heater that accidentally produces hydrogen sulfide. Usually, electric water heaters have a magnesium anode rode constructed of magnesium sulfate so that the water heater doesn’t corrode. This leads to free electrons being produced in the water, which kindles a reaction between sulfate and sulfate-reducing bacteria. In most cases, this problem happens due to water being left in an electric water heater for a prolonged time. After the water in the hot water heater is used, the odor goes away. But in cases that are more severe, you may need a water treatment system so that you can get rid of the bacteria, which is the root cause.
Even though the smell of sulfur in your water can be unpleasant, it won’t harm you. In other words, hydrogen sulfide is not a health risk. However, it can be extremely troublesome when you find it in your water. The good news is that you can get rid of the odor.
You don’t have to hold your nose every time you turn on your water. Don’t settle for smelly water. Contact us and set up an appointment for a water test.
360.748.6393
M-F 9:00a - 4:30p
Closed Sat & Sun
*We do not offer after hours emergency plumbing services at this time.
2556 Jackson Hwy
Chehalis, WA 98532