More detail
A rotten-egg or sulfur smell in private well water is usually caused by hydrogen sulfide gas, sulfur bacteria, or a reaction inside the water heater. The right fix depends on whether the odor appears in cold water, hot water only, or both.
Start with testing rather than guessing. A certified lab or well-water specialist can check for hydrogen sulfide, coliform bacteria, iron, manganese, pH, and other chemistry that affects treatment sizing.
A one-time bacterial odor may respond to shock chlorination of the well and plumbing. Persistent hydrogen sulfide usually needs an oxidizing treatment system such as air-injection oxidation, catalytic carbon, or greensand, sized to the actual sulfur and iron levels.
Related on this site
- Service: Well Water Treatment, Iron, manganese, sulfur, and acidity treatment for private wells — air-injection oxidation, greensand, and calcite neutralizers.