Why does my water smell like rotten eggs? It's not a pleasant experience for anyone. St. Louis is known for its high-quality water (just ask Anheuser-Busch). In fact, it typically doesn't have any odor. Which makes it all the more unsettling when it smells like rotten eggs.
In this post, we'll go over the chemical reactions often behind water getting a rotten egg smell, the underlying causes, and how a local St. Louis plumber can help you fix it.
Whatever plumbing issue you're experiencing, Signature Plumbing is here to help. We have over a decade of experience serving the St. Louis area and know how to handle all its most common plumbing problems. Call us at (636) 742-2533 or contact us online – we're available 24/7.
Page Summary
On this page, we'll go over:
- The most common reason water smells like rotten eggs in St. Louis
- How to find the source of the smell
- What you should do if your water smells like rotten eggs
- The methods a plumber uses to fix the issue
- St. Louis's frequently asked questions about bad-smelling water
- How to get in touch with a plumber today
Why Does My Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs?
If your water smells like rotten eggs, it's most likely hydrogen sulfide gas. Known for its bad smell, this gas is relatively harmless if breathed in small doses – so don't panic just because your water smells bad.
The natural next question is 'how is hydrogen sulfide getting into my water?' And the answer is likely because of sulfur bacteria. These microorganisms feed on sulfur and release hydrogen sulfide as waste. These bacteria are largely harmless and can even help treat contaminated water in some cases.
However, your drinking water isn't one of those cases. If there is a sulfur bacteria growth in your water, an experienced plumber can help you find it and remove it.
Hot Water vs. Cold Water vs. The Drain
Now that we know the likely cause of your rotten egg water smell, we need to locate the source of the bacteria. The best way to do this is to individually check your hot water, cold water, and drain:
- Start by turning on your hot water and smelling for the foul odor while the water is running.
- Switch off the hot water and repeat the process with cold water.
- Fill up a glass of cold water and turn off the faucet.
- Carry the glass into another room and smell it.
If only the hot water smelled bad, then the bacteria are likely in your water heater. If both the hot and cold water smelled bad, but only while the faucet is running, the bacteria are likely in your drain. And if the water in the cup smelled bad, the issue is probably with your water source.
To summarize:
| Bacteria Location | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Water Heater | Bad smell only in hot water. |
| Drain | Bad smell only when water is running. |
| Main Water Supply | Bad smell persists when cold water is taken away from the faucet |
What Should You Do if Your Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs?
The first thing to know is that you don't have to overreact. If you've already drunk some water that smells like rotten eggs, it likely won't harm you. The main thing to do is call a plumber to locate and take care of the bacterial colony.
In the meantime, you can keep drinking water with hydrogen sulfide and be safe, as long as it's not in large quantities. If you want to be extra safe, you can boil the water and/or buy bottled water.
Important Note: This advice specifically applies to hydrogen sulfide that can cause a rotten egg smell. If instead, your water smelled like sewage, stop drinking it and contact Poison Control immediately (1-800-222-1222).
How a Plumber Can Help Solve Hydrogen Sulfide in Water
The approach your professional St. Louis plumber will take to solve the rotten-egg water smell depends on where the bacteria colony is located:
Water Heater: Because the bacteria are located in the water heater, it will be important to flush out the water and clean the tank. We'll also inspect the anode rod(s), which can contribute to sulfur bacteria growth as they wear down. If they are corroded, our water heater repair services can replace them.
Drain: If the bacteria are predominantly in the drain, the solution is some combination of sewer and drain cleaning. We will check drains and appliances in different parts of your house to determine how widespread the colony is, and then clean it out.
Main Water Supply: Resolving hydrogen sulfide in the main water supply depends in part on where you get your water from. In any case, a plumber can install a filtration system to protect your home's water. If you get your water from a well, we recommend lab testing to ensure its safety. If it comes from a city water supply, you should report the contamination to the authorities.
Rotten Eggs Water Smell FAQs
Is it dangerous to drink water that smells like rotten eggs?
Normally, yes, it's safe to drink water that smells like rotten eggs. Because the sulfur bacteria and the hydrogen sulfide that they produce are safe in small quantities, it's unlikely that a glass of water will cause you harm.
If sulfur bacteria are safe, do I still need to get rid of them?
Even though the sulfur bacteria itself isn't harmful, it can grow and form a moist, slimy environment where other, more harmful bacteria can grow. On top of this, it can create clogs that harm your pipes and lead to more issues.
For these reasons, it's still important to call a plumber and clean out the bacteria as soon as is reasonable.
Will a water softener get rid of the smell?
No – water softeners target calcium/magnesium/mineral buildup. In fact, some water softeners can act like a fertilizer for the bacteria, encouraging its growth.
This doesn't mean you should stop using a water softener if you already have one. Many St. Louis homes need a softener due to the hardness of local water. If this applies to you, regular cleaning and water filters are particularly important.
Will letting the water run help?
Sometimes running your water will help remove the rotten egg smell. This is particularly helpful if the water has been stagnant for a while (e.g., if you were on vacation).
In these cases, the root cause probably wasn't sulfur bacteria and instead was just stale water.
Does Your Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs? Call Signature Plumbing Today
Signature Plumbing is a local St. Louis plumbing company that takes pride in providing fast, friendly service for its customers. We know the high quality of service that St. Louis homes expect and put every effort towards delivering on it. Here's why you should trust us with your home's plumbing:
- We treat every home as if it were our own.
- We use a clear pricing structure and don't have hidden fees.
- Our company is licensed as a master plumber and drainlayer.
- We have an excellent reputation with customers.
If you have any issues with your home's plumbing, whether a water leak, broken toilet, rotten egg smell, or something else entirely, give us a call at (636) 742-2533 or send us a note online to schedule service.