What to Know About Sulfur Smells in your Water
Some water problems can be hard to spot. Other times, your problem may as well be waving a neon sign in your face. A sulfur smell in your water is one of the latter issues. The reek of sulfur smells is similar to rotten eggs and arises as a result of hydrogen sulfide gas in the water. Because it’s unlikely that you have eggs rotting in your well, the smell is from sulfur breaking down in the water. This smell can exist even in healthy wells with safe water, but that doesn’t mean you should tolerate it. In this article, we’ll cover why your well is smelling of sulfur and what you can do about it.
If you’d like to cut to the chase: Your water needs treatment. The best way to deliver treatment is to contact well water specialists. Please read our website to learn more.
Where is this Sulfur Smell Coming From?
There are two main causes of sulfur smells in well water. One of these is the sulfur bacteria; the other is hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur bacteria are bacteria that eat sulfur, found in low oxygen environments. Sulfur naturally occurs in the soil, too. The other most common cause is the water heater. Bad smells originating in the water heater steam from one place. This is the interaction between your heater’s magnesium rod and aluminum inside the heater. This interaction creates hydrogen sulfide gas, which you can smell.
Is Sulfur Water Safe to Drink?
Some smells, like sulfur or chlorine, may not represent dangerous water. However, sudden changes often indicate larger problems. If a sudden change occurs, you must have your water tested. This will help you determine if your water is safe to drink. On its own, smelly water usually isn’t dangerous – Unless it’s a sewage smell. The test will also help you determine the best treatment option for your water.
Testing is also the first step to fixing any water troubles, including a sulfur smell.
How Can I Fix Sulfur Smells?
After testing the water in your well, you can determine the water source. Shock chlorination treatment may be the option if there is a high bacterial content in the well. If your water levels are normal, the problem is likely further down the line. In these cases, the water heater is usually to blame. Don’t try to handle a magnesium anode on your own. A bleach solution can sometimes work to treat water heaters like with wells. Occasionally, installing a filter will eliminate the problem.
The Bottom Line
If you detect a sulfur smell, your well isn’t working as it should. You must get your water tested and treated. The only way to do this accurately and make sure the job is done right is to get help. Water treatment experts, heater specialists, and repair workers are the best option for fixing your well. At Accurate Drilling, our well water experts are some of the best in the field. When it comes to your well, let us take care of you. We’ll do the job right, fast, and for a price, you can handle. Give us a call today if you’ve noticed a bad smell in your water.
