Why Does My Well Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

If your well water smells like rotten eggs, you're dealing with one of the most common — and most fixable — well water problems in the Houston area.

The cause: hydrogen sulfide gas

That rotten-egg odor comes from hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in your water. It can be produced by naturally occurring chemistry underground or by sulfur bacteria that thrive in wells and water heaters. Either way, the smell is a sign your water needs treatment.

Is it dangerous?

At the low levels found in most household wells, hydrogen sulfide is more of a nuisance than a health hazard — but it can corrode plumbing, stain fixtures, and make water unpleasant to drink and cook with. A full water test tells you exactly what you're dealing with.

How to get rid of the smell for good

Masking the odor doesn't work — you have to remove the hydrogen sulfide at the source. Depending on your water test, the right solution may include:

• Oxidation followed by filtration to remove the sulfur
• Catalytic carbon filtration for lower levels
• Disinfection (such as UV) when sulfur bacteria are present
• Periodic water heater treatment if the smell is worse on hot water

Because every well is different, there's no one-size-fits-all fix. True Soft Water Systems starts with a comprehensive well water test, then designs a system built specifically for your water — so the smell is gone and stays gone.