If you go to a hot spring, you might expect the water to smell like sulfur–but you don’t expect it in your shower. When you’re suddenly hit with that rotten egg smell, you may ask yourself, ”Is this safe?” Since the scent can be so strong and unpleasant, you may be surprised by the answer.
In this article:
- What Causes the Sulfur Smell in Water?
- Is it Safe to Shower in Water That Smells Like Sulfur?
- How to Remove the Sulfur Smell from Your Water
- Other Common Odors in Water and What They Mean
- When to Contact a Professional
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Causes the Sulfur Smell in Water?
Hydrogen Sulfide in Water
A buildup of hydrogen sulfide in your water can cause a sulfur smell. This gas is most commonly found in groundwater and despite its strong odor, it won’t hurt you even if you drink it. Since it often comes from groundwater, well owners are more likely to encounter this issue.
Sulfur Bacteria
In groundwater, you can find sulfur bacteria, which generate hydrogen sulfide. These bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide gas but are not harmful to humans. Properly maintained and treated wells are less likely to contain these sulfur bacteria.
Water Heater Issues
Sometimes, water that smells like sulfur is caused by issues in your water heater. For instance, if water sits stagnant for a while, it can start harboring sulfur bacteria that create foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide. Other times, the heater’s magnesium anode rod starts to corrode and its reaction with the water in the tank can cause a sulfuric smell.
Is it Safe to Shower in Water That Smells Like Sulfur?
- Health Risks of Sulfur in Water
- There aren’t any health risks associated with showering in sulfur-smelling water. However, consuming sulfur-rich water can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea in some people–particularly infants.
- Skin and Hair Effects
- Sulfur water can dry out your hair or fade hair dyes; however, it isn’t especially harmful in the short term. You may feel less clean due to the smell that lingers on your skin or hair.
- Long-Term Exposure to Sulfur in Water
- People who frequently shower in sulfur water often experience skin dryness or irritation because the water strips away natural oils. The presence of sulfur in water can also corrode pipes or cause stains on your fixtures over time.
How to Remove the Sulfur Smell from Your Water
Testing Your Water
The best way to start removing that pesky sulfur smell is to conduct home water testing. A hydrogen sulfide water test will identify how much sulfur and sulfide are present in your water. For the most accurate results and tailored solutions, professional testing—such as services offered by Leaf Home—is recommended.
Addressing Sulfur in Well Water
For households with well water, here are a few ways to treat sulfur issues:
- Aeration: Aeration systems can reduce the amount of hydrogen sulfide and iron in the water.
- Chlorine: To remove the sulfur, the well and the home’s plumbing can be disinfected by shock chlorination, similar to pool treatment.
- Increase water heater temperature: Increasing the water heater temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours can kill off existing sulfur bacteria.
Fixing Water Heater Issues
Other than stagnant water, the other sulfur-producing issue with water heaters is usually a corroded anode rod. To check for corrosion, turn off the heater, drain some water out so you can access the rod (ensuring the water/rod is cool enough to touch), unscrew it with a 1 ⅙-inch socket wrench, and check for corrosion. Signs of corrosion include pitting, rust, and visible deterioration of the rod. Your anode rod should be replaced every 3 – 5 years.
If the anode rod is deteriorated, it is easy to replace:
- Wrap the anode rod threads in plumber’s tape
- Insert the rod into its spot in the water heater
- Tighten as needed with 1 ⅙-inch socket
Filtration Systems
Since hydrogen sulfide is a dissolved gas, many home water filtration systems like reverse osmosis do not effectively remove it. However, a few filters can significantly reduce its presence. For example, activated carbon helps reduce hydrogen sulfide by absorbing it.
Oxidation as a water pre-filter system can also help remove hydrogen sulfide by adding something like chlorine, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide to the water. These oxidizing agents react to the dissolved gas and convert them into either sulfur or sulfate which are easier for other water filters to remove.
Other Common Odors in Water and What They Mean
- Musty or Earthy Smell: Unlike sulfur smell, a musty or earthy water smell usually indicates algae bacteria or decaying organic matter in the water source. Warm weather and sun can create these smelly algae blooms.
- Metallic Taste or Smell: If your water tastes or smells metallic, dissolved metals are usually to blame. This indicates high concentrations of copper, iron, manganese, or zinc in your water. These metals can come from mineral deposits in the water source, pipe corrosion, or a breakdown in the water treatment process.
- Chlorine Smell in Water: A chlorine smell in your water points to excessive chlorine levels in your water treatment. If you are connected to the city water supply, contact your utility company. If you treat water yourself with a well, contact a professional to help adjust chlorine levels.
When to Contact a Professional
You should contact a professional if your water develops a rotten egg smell. If you’ve tried to get rid of the smell or taste yourself and have been unsuccessful, a water expert may uncover an issue you aren’t aware of. It’s possible the issue has multiple sources, so doing things like replacing an anode rod only fixes part of the problem.
Although it is technically safe to shower in water that smells like sulfur, that doesn’t make it a pleasant experience. You’re unlikely to get sick from showering in this kind of water, though some people may experience an upset stomach from drinking it. When you need professionals to help you conquer this rotten egg water, contact Leaf Home. Our water experts can determine where the problem is coming from and help you get back to fresher, better tasting water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sulfur in water damage my plumbing?
Yes, over time, sulfur or dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas can damage your plumbing system. Due to chemical reactions, this gas can corrode metal pipes or clog them with slime. Although it can damage any type of metal pipe, it’s particularly damaging to brass and copper.
Is it safe to drink water that smells like sulfur?
Yes, sulfur-smelling water is safe to consume. However, some people will have negative bodily reactions. Water with a sulfur smell can cause an upset stomach, leading to diarrhea and dehydration.
What does sulfur water do to your skin?
In the short term, sulfur water can help address skin concerns like psoriasis and eczema. It can also help exfoliate skin and treat fungal infections. However, long-term use can cause skin dryness.
How can I remove the sulfur smell from my shower water?
Two of the easiest ways to eliminate the sulfur smell are to flush your hot water heater and temporarily raise the temperature. If you raise the temperature of your hot water tank to above 160°F for several hours, the hot water can kill the sulfur bacteria. You can also flush your water heater to remove any sediment and keep the water from being stagnant. Ideally, you should flush a water heater at least once every six months or more often if you have hard water.
To confirm whether or not you have sulfur in your water, our experts can help diagnose your the issue and provide a free in-home water test.
Does sulfur in water have any benefits?
Sulfur water has several health benefits, making sulfur hot springs popular. In the short term, sulfur can help with skin issues like eczema and psoriasis while also softening dry skin. It is also known to help strengthen brittle or damaged hair. But long-term use of sulfur water can dry out skin and hair.
