What is Causing My Smelly Water?

Rotten egg smell in your drinking water is usually one of two culprits: Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) or Sulfates

H₂S is a mineral released from the earth that finds its way into groundwater.

Sulfates are sulfur-containing compounds found in nature that bacteria can turn into H₂S.

H₂S in gas form is quite dangerous, however, when dissolved in water it is less so, but it still poses health risks. 

So how does it get in your water? It is often there naturally. If you are on city water, an attempt has been made to reduce it to “not unhealthy” levels. 

If you are on well water, it’s especially common in wells located near shale, sandstone, coal, peat, or oil, like those in the Oklahoma City areas of Oklahoma.

Occasionally, a rotten-egg smell in your water could also be associated with sewage contamination or with  bacteria in your water heater…

The most important thing to note is that it is ALWAYS worthwhile to get your water tested if you have smelly water. H₂S in higher concentrations poses immediate risks including nausea, vomiting, and potentially serious health effects in the long term.

So how do you fix water that smells like sulfur?

The first step is to figure out what is actually causing the smell. That usually involves a water test.

Next, once you know the cause, then you can move on to removing the contaminants, which, with H₂S, isn’t usually as simple as adding in a filter.

This is where it becomes useful to have professional help. For Oklahoma City & Surrounding Areas, Moore Water & Air of OKC will do free water testing to determine the source of the smell.

With those test results, we can tell you exactly what you’ll need to fix the problem. We have plenty of experience with the local water and we know what works.

After that, there’s no obligation to purchase equipment from us. Our goal is to provide you the information you need to make the best decision for your family. 

To find out what’s in your water with Free Water Testing,

Call us at (405) 591-3408

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