Why Does My Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs?
One of the most common complaints we hear from people is that their water has a rotten egg smell. Not only does this nasty smell make water unpleasant to drink, cook with, and bathe in, it can actually cause problems for your home. So, what causes rotten egg smell in water, and more importantly, what can be done about it?
What Causes Rotten Egg Smell?
If your water smells like rotten eggs, it is most likely due to an excessive amount of hydrogen sulfide gas that is trapped in the water. If there is enough hydrogen sulfide in your water to produce a rotten egg smell, it could end up damaging your pipes since many different types of metals are susceptible to hydrogen sulfide corrosion. This problematic contaminant can also cause stains to appear on silverware and plumbing fixtures.
What is Hydrogen Sulfide and How Does it Get in Water?
Many homes experience the problem of excessive hydrogen sulfide in the water. This naturally occurring compound results from sulfur reducing bacteria in groundwater. Not only do the bacteria feed on the sulfur in groundwater, the low oxygen environment of a well or plumbing system also makes these areas a great place for these bacteria to thrive.
Hydrogen sulfide is a common problem for homes that get water from wells drilled into acidic bedrock like shale or sandstone. While hydrogen sulfide producing bacteria are not considered a health concern for people, they can definitely spoil the enjoyment of drinking water and cause problems in your plumbing over time. Hydrogen sulfide often leads to the corrosion of metals in a plumbing system, as well as yellow or black greasy stains on fixtures or within pipes when it forms metallic sulfides.
Resolving Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Issues
To effectively resolve the problem of “rotten egg water,” you must determine where the hydrogen sulfide contamination is occuring. It may be an issue with your hot water heater if you only notice the odor when you use hot water from your faucet. If both your hot and cold water are affected by the smell, it is likely to be an issue with your water supply. The most reliable way to track down the problem is to contact an experienced water professional to have your water tested.
WaterBoss Solution for Rotten Egg Water
WaterBoss offers solutions for water problems, including the rotten egg smell in water due to hydrogen sulfide gas in your water supply. The WaterBoss Model 900IF is a dedicated iron water filter with a maximum ferrous iron reduction of 15 ppm. The Model 900IF uses a greensand media, one of the oldest and most effective oxidation technologies. Greensand can be regenerated with potassium permanganate, which produces manganese dioxide on the surface of the mineral. When water comes in contact with it, the iron is immediately oxidized. The iron is then filtered and cleaned away in the backwash cycle.
The WaterBoss model 900 IF iron water filter can be used in tandem with WaterBoss Models 700, 900 or any conventional softener. Contact your local WaterBoss retailer to learn more.
