Nothing is more disgusting than opening your tap for water, only for the smell of rotten eggs to hit your nostrils. It is not very pleasant to cook your food or brush your teeth with that smell oozing from your faucet. The smell is very common with water that comes from a still source like a well and not from chlorinated city water. The smell is so distinct that it will be hard for you to miss it. Safe drinking water shouldn’t have a smell, whether from a still well or the city supply. Therefore, it is good to take caution every time you notice even the faintest smells in your water. There could be more underlying reasons why your water smells of sulfur.
Before making any conclusions, it is important to test your water to determine whether the smell is present in cold and hot water. The test will help you understand the right source of the smell.
The following are the reasons why your water smells of sulfur in different temperatures:
Only Cold Water Smells of Sulfur
If you realize that only the cold water from your faucet smells like rotten eggs, then the most likely reason behind this is sulfate-reducing bacteria. The growth of this bacteria is often caused by poor aeration and corrosion. You would most of the time feel the smell in the first seconds after you turn your tap.
Both Hot and Cold water Smell of Sulfur
If the smell persists both in cold and hot water, then you shouldn’t blame it on sulfate-reducing bacteria anymore. The smell is more likely caused by hydrogen sulfide in the water supply system. What happens is that the sulfur bacteria in the water will feed on the sulfates, resulting in the creation of hydrogen sulfide gas. The gas will get trapped in the water and causes the smell of rotten eggs every time you open your taps.
Only Hot Water Smells of Sulfur
Sometimes, you can only feel the smell of sulfur when your water is hot. In this situation, it will be hard for you to blame it on any bacteria. The most common reason for the smell is a chemical reaction in your water supply system. It is often caused by your water heater, which contains a metal called the anode, which helps to avoid the corrosion of your water tank. The rod contains aluminum and magnesium, which, when they react with the sulfates in the water, causes hydrogen sulfide gas. Since the reaction can only be catalyzed by heat, it is common to feel the odor only in hot water.
You should also note that the sulfur bacteria don’t have to be present in large numbers for your water to smell them. Even the smallest presence of the bacteria will cause your water to smell. Smelly water is never safe to drink because of its hazardous health implications.
Importance of Austin TX Water Treatment
In conclusion, sulfur odor in tap water is a common issue that can be caused by different factors such as sulfate-reducing bacteria, hydrogen sulfide, or a chemical reaction in the water heater. It’s important to test the water to determine the source of the smell and take necessary actions. Austin TX water treatment can help solve the problem and ensure safe drinking water free of any foul odor. Austin Water Solutions can provide effective solutions to tackle this problem and ensure safe drinking water free of any foul odor, using their expertise in treating Austin water systems.
