Well water is a great source of fresh, clean water for many people. However, sometimes your well water can start to smell like rotten eggs. This is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately, as it can be a sign of a serious underlying problem.
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There are a few different possible causes of well water smelling like rotten eggs. One possibility is that there is bacteria in the water. Bacteria can produce hydrogen sulfide gas, which is what gives rotten eggs their characteristic smell. Another possibility is that there is a high level of iron in the water. Iron can react with bacteria to produce hydrogen sulfide gas. Finally, there could be a problem with the well itself, such as a leak or a crack in the casing. This can allow bacteria and other contaminants to enter the well water.
If your well water smells like rotten eggs, it is important to take action to fix the problem. The first step is to test the water to determine the cause of the problem. If the water is safe to drink, you can then decide if you want to treat the problem yourself or hire a professional.
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Well Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs How To Fix
How to Fix Well Water That Smells Like Rotten Eggs
- Identify the Source of the Problem
If your well water smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, these are some possible reasons:
Even in low quantities, hydrogen sulfide gas has a strong odor and flavor that can destroy your drink. While not necessarily harmful, it indicates an increase in the number of bacteria in your drinking water.
- Rule Out Hydrogen Sulfide Gas
Do a smell test of your well water. Is it foul or rotten egg-like? The most common cause of the problem is a high hydrogen sulfide content. It is classified as a colorless gas.
If there is high hydrogen sulfide gas in the water the solution is a…
- Shock Chlorination Treatment. This solution works by killing bacteria responsible for producing rotten egg odor. It can be effective for solving the problem!
Determine how much chlorine to use depends on its concentration. The concentration must be between 50 and 200 parts per million. You can test your water’s chlorine level using a home test kit.
After shocking the water again, let stand overnight. Flush every faucet in your home for a while to remove the chlorine
- Test for Well Casing Damage
Using an echo-sounding device, a well casing inspection can reveal potential conditions including corrosion, cracks, holes, gaps or misalignment at joints, lost casing sections, split casing, casing end collapse and disconnected casing.
Fix the issues based on your report.
- Clean the Storage Tanks and Pipes
The rotten egg smell can be caused by extremely high amounts of iron bacteria in the well water and require specialized treatment beyond typical disinfection. It can now become a harder issue and requires you to hire a professional.
Caution: This is an extensive process and it is recommended to consult with an experienced plumber who specializes in cleaning tanks and iron bacteria.
- Treat with Hydrogen Peroxide
After killing the bacteria in your water pipes, the final stage is removing the extra iron, manganese, and sulfate. It enters the chemical reaction with the decaying matter to create precipitates the problem causing microbes from pipes. This is a very effective solution!
.Here are the steps of how to treat well water that smells like rotten eggs using hydrogen peroxide:
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Turn off well water at its source.
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Open all the taps to drain existing water from the lines and faucets.
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For every gallon of your water storage tank capacity, add about 3 ounces of 35% food-grade hydrogen peroxide into it.
– If you have a 50-gallon capacity water tank, add about 150 ounces (1 gallon) of 35% hydrogen peroxide into it first before filling it with water.
- Switch your water pump back on to distribute the solution into your well tank and plumbing system.
.- Your well water will start bubbling after about 20 minutes from added hydrogen peroxide which pushes out sulfur gases and any trapped air inside your tank. .
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After letting your system sit overnight undisturbed, flush all cold-water faucets for approximately 15 minutes each for optimal results.
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Repeat the process for hot water sources (faucets and showerheads) after draining all the treated cold water. Flush each hot water source until the rotten egg odor is gone.
