Hot Water Odor

[MasterPlumbersKeymaster]

Recently, our hot water has begun to smell like sulphur. This odor is not noticible when only running cold water. We do have well water – but this has never happened before. The house (and I assume) hot water heater are 11 years old. Is this a problem with the hot water heater or in the pipes?

[Retired plbg1Participant]

I dont know about well water but I think you should contact a well co.

[nicktheplumberParticipant]

Certain volatile contaminants in water are more noticeable (as regards their odor) in hot water, because when the water is heated these contaminants vaporize and are released into the atmosphere.

Oxides of sulfur and other chemicals behave this way. Your well is probably drawing sulfur-contaminated water and you are just noticing it in your hot water for the reason stated above. The sulfur is certainly also in your cold water, you just haven’t appreciated it yet.

Have the water analyzed in a lab. You have three choices : 1) live with it (sulfur is stinky but not toxic);
2) Install an water purification system; or, 3) drill a new well (not guaranteed to solve the problem…you may still get sulfur in your water).

NtP

[GarySlusserParticipant]

Hot water only ‘sulfur’ odor is (usually) a product of sulfate, iron and/or manganese reducing bacteria. Another cause is a trace amount if H2S in the cold water. To establish if that is the case, spray water into a 5 gallon bucket as you hang your nose on the rim smelling for sulfur. If there is a sulfur odor, a sulfur filter would remove it.

If it is bacteria related you can remove or replace the anode rod with an aluminum rod or set the temp of the heater to 140f which will kill the bacteria that use the usually magnesium rod as a food source and produce H2S. You can also drain and then flush the heater and sanitize it with bleach. That doesn’t always work as a permanent soultion though. The use of water treatment is limited by the type of bacteria causing the odor and identifying the type is difficult. The use of any disenfectant in a sloution feeder or a pellet dropper mounted on the well is an option regardless of what type bacteria is present.

Water treatment dealers are the best chooice for identifying and solving the problem. Removal of an anode rod usually voids heater warranties.

Gary
Quality Water Associates

[Author]

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