Why does my well water smell like rotten eggs?

Hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S) can give water a “rotten egg” taste or odor. This gas can occur in wells anywhere and be: Naturally occurring - a result of decay and chemical reactions with soil and rocks. Produced by certain “sulfur bacteria” in the groundwater, well, or plumbing system.

Is it safe to drink well water that smells like rotten eggs?

Potential Problems with Hydrogen Sulfide

In most cases drinking water that has a strong rotten egg odor, although particularly unpleasant, is perfectly safe to drink. However in some rare occasions the odor may be caused by sewage or other contaminates in a building's water supply, which could cause health problems.

Why does my well water suddenly smell like rotten eggs?

If your water smells like rotten eggs, that likely indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas. This could be due to a problem with your water heater or naturally occurring sulfur bacteria, especially in well water. These issues can produce hydrogen sulfide, which leaves an unpleasant scent wherever it goes.

Can I shower if my water smells like rotten eggs?

If you smell rotten eggs in your water, we suggest having a professional test your water. You'll learn the cause of the odor, and you'll uncover any other potentially harmful contaminants in your water.

What removes sulfur from well water?

Ozone, chlorine, aeration, and peroxide injections are some common processes that are used to get rid of the sulfur smell by boosting the oxidizing properties of the water being treated. Liquid chlorination: Using 5% – 10% chlorine (over 6 mg/l) can effectively remove medium to a high level of sulfur in well water.

Stinky rotten egg, sulfur smelling water cheap and easy fix!

How do you get rid of Sulphur smell in water?

Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors. Often keeps odors away for 1 – 2 months. 2. Chlorinator: Install a chlorine injector system (chlorinator) on your wellhead for continuous injection of chlorine when the water is running.

Will a water filter remove sulfur smell?

Regardless of the source of the odors, installing whole house water filters that will remove hydrogen sulfide and kill sulfur bacteria is a good solution to consider if you want to reduce bad smells, and protect your family from other chemical and microbial contaminants.

How do you remove hydrogen sulfide from well water?

Aeration. Since hydrogen sulfide occurs as a gas in water, it can be physically removed by injecting air into the water and allowing the gas to escape. Aeration units may work by cascading, bubbling, or stripping the gas from the water.

How do you fix sulfur water in the shower?

This can be remedied by disinfecting the tank and adding one gallon of household bleach for every 1,000 gallons of water. You may also need to disinfect the well. A common cause of these odours is contaminated water softeners, so replace the filter to fix this issue.

Why does my well water smell like sewage?

If your cold well water smells like sewage, it can be the result of several causes: Hydrogen sulfide from iron, sulfur or other types of bacteria naturally occurring in your well water. Contaminated pipes with layers of bio-film caused by various types of iron, sulfur, or other types of bacteria.

How often should you shock your well?

Homeowners with private wells should have their well water tested every 3 to 5 years for some contaminants, including bacteria.

How much bleach should I put in my well?

4) Work out how much bleach will be needed: For every 50 gallons of water in the well use one quart of laundry bleach - (4 quarts in a gallon). Do not use excessive amounts of bleach - more is not more effective. 5) For best results the bleach should be combined with water before adding it to the well.

How much bleach is needed to shock a well?

CALCULATE AND POUR: Pour 3 pints of chlorine bleach per 100 gallons of water plus an additional 3 pints into your well as described above. MIX: Attach a clean garden hose to the outdoor faucet nearest the well and place the end of the hose inside the well.

How do I shock my well water?

Use ordinary liquid laundry bleach to shock chlorinate the water system. Determine how much bleach to use, then pour the bleach down the well and circulate it through the whole water distribution system. Wait 6-12 hours for the chlorine to work, then flush the chlorinated water from your well and pipes.

How do you get rid of sulfur smell?

Why does my bathroom shower smell like rotten eggs?

A rotten egg smell is caused either by biofilm clogging the shower drain or the backup of sewer gasses through the drain. Decomposing biological debris trapped in the drain produces an odor and must be removed to eliminate the smell.

Does a water softener remove hydrogen sulfide?

ION EXCHANGE. The ion exchange process can already be found in water softeners, which replace hard-water minerals with relatively harmless ones. Ion exchange can also remove hydrogen sulfide, since most of the hydrogen sulfide in water exists in an ionized form.

How do you get rotten egg smell out of your house?

So, you can use white vinegar, baking soda and other natural cleaning products to remove mould, grime and dirt. Mix 3 per cent of peroxide with 40 gallons of water and pour this mixture into the water heater if the smell is coming from it. Leave it for 2- 3 hours, and then flush it.

How do you get rid of smelly water?

Chlorine is the most widely used oxidant to remove odor from water, but at best deemed mildly effective. Oxygen and potassium permanganate are also only mildly effective water treatment solutions. Oxidizers such as ozone and chlorine dioxide are by far the most efficient in eliminating odor from water.

How long after bleaching well Can I drink water?

Once the chlorinated water has reached all the appliances, fixtures and faucets, let the chlorinated water stand in the well and plumbing system for 8 hours. WHILE THE CHLORINE IS IN THE SYSTEM DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. CONTACT WITH THE WATER MAY CAUSE SKIN, EYE AND NOSE IRRITATION. 12.

How long after bleaching well can I shower?

Step 6 WAIT at least 12 hours before turning faucets back on. Do not drink, cook, bathe, or wash with water from your faucets during this time because it has high amounts of chlorine in it.

What is a natural way to clean well water?

You can boil the well water for 5 minutes. With this, all the bacteria inside it will be eliminated. However, boiling will not be able to remove the solids and other materials inside the well water. The use of chlorine drops or iodine tablets can effectively kill the bacteria in the well water.

Can I put Clorox in my well?

Disinfecting Your Water

You can disinfect your well with household chlorine bleach such as Clorox, Purex or a generic brand. The chlorine in the bleach kills bacteria. Note that it may take more than one chlorination for your well to return a satisfactory test.

Can you dump bleach in your well?

Mix the bleach with the well water.

Ⅰ Attach a hose to the nearest outside faucet and allow the water to run onto the ground for 1-2 minutes until you smell chlorine. Then place the hose in the hole where you poured the bleach, allow the water to run back into the well for 15-20 minutes.

Why does my well water turn brown when I add bleach?

The brown is the iron in the water that has oxidized as a result of the chlorination. Normally, the iron in water is in ion form and does not display itself until it combines with oxygen and forms common rust which turns the water reddish-brown.