Stinky Water: Safe to Use or Health Hazard? Find Out Now!
Stinky water is a common issue in many U.S. households. It can have many different causes, from outdated plumbing to bacterial growth in drains.
The good news: water odors usually aren't a cause for alarm. That said, their presence can indicate issues with your water quality. This is particularly true for private wells, which are more prone to contamination due to irregular testing.
Want to be able to trust the quality of your water again? Read on to find out why your water may smell bad and what you can do about it!
What Does It Mean If My Water Stinks?
The first step in solving a water odor issue involves locating the source of the smell. Here are the four most common smelly water causes and what they mean.
1. Rotten Eggs
The "rotten egg" smell is usually the product of sulfate-reducing bacteria. These microorganisms consume sulfur as an energy source. In doing so, they gradually change it into hydrogen sulfide, which emits the recognizable odor.
Hydrogen sulfide becomes lethal only when inhaled at very high concentrations (500 PPM). However, it can still be corrosive and lead to more serious plumbing issues. Sulfate-reducing bacteria can form in:
Water heaters
Drains
Wells
Water Heater
Water heaters that aren't used frequently are more likely to stimulate bacterial growth that could lead to the rotten egg odor. When the magnesium rod in some heaters deteriorates, it may produce a sulfite odor as well.
Drain
With so much organic matter building up in a drain, it doesn't take much for bacteria to thrive. You can confirm your drain is the culprit if the smell comes from both hot and cold water, and only in a single drain.
Well
Are you using a private well, and the smell isn't coming from the water heater or the drain? If so, you could have bacteria growing in the well itself. There are several potential causes that you may want to test:
Poor wellhead protection
Defective septic tank near the well
Natural groundwater that stimulates the bacteria
2. Bleach or Chlorine
Tap water from public water supplies is often treated with chlorine to prevent bacterial growth. The acceptable level of chlorine in drinking water is 4.0 PPM or under. Most chlorine odors go away when exposed to air for a few minutes.
If you have a private well, you should be disinfecting it with chlorine regularly for plumbing safety. Again, simply running your water for a short while will cause the odor to dissipate. If it persists, you may need to have the system flushed.
3. Mold
Moldy and musty odors tend to be indicators of bacterial activity. Your drain is the most common culprit. You can try to fix the issue with the usual combo of hot water and distilled white vinegar, but hydrogen peroxide works well too.
Mold is a more common problem with private wells. If you start noticing this smell, it may be a good time to clean the pressure tank. Periodic maintenance will do wonders for preventing bacterial growth, particularly in warmer weather.
4. Oil or Petroleum
If your tap water smells like oil or petroleum, this could imply issues related to industrial spills or similar malfunctions. If you're using a public water supply, you should report the issue right away, as it could lead to health issues like:
Nausea
Headaches
Dizziness
Vomiting
For private well owners, these odors may suggest a fuel tank supply leak near your well. It can also indicate an industrial discharge that has polluted the groundwater supply. Either way, your best bet is to run a water contamination test.
Is It Safe to Drink Tap Water That Smells?
Water safety can be a tricky thing to determine. If you can't locate the source of the odor, your best bet is to test it before you keep using it.
It's worth noting that these issues occur much less frequently in public water supplies than in private wells. If you do encounter it, keep in mind that you can always reach out to your utility company for more information.
As an owner of a private well, the quality of your water is solely your responsibility. Ideally, you should test your water at least once a year to maintain its safety. Don't ignore sudden or drastic changes to the water's smell or appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can You Treat or Filter Smelly Water?
Yes, there are plenty of home water solutions that allow you to treat bad water. Choosing the right treatment will usually depend on the cause of the odor. Some common solutions for dealing with water smells include:
Activated carbon filters
Aeration systems
Shock chlorination
Oxidizing filters
Is It Safe to Shower if the Water Smells?
Showering in smelly water is generally safe. Most odors come from sulfur and bacteria, neither of which is hazardous to the skin. If the water smells like fuel, however, it's best to avoid using it before identifying the source of the odor.
What to Do if You Drink Bad Water?
As mentioned, drinking contaminated water is unlikely to be a major health risk. Even so, it's best to immediately switch to bottled water and monitor for symptoms like nausea and vomiting. If the symptoms are severe, seek medical advice.
When Should You Test Smelly Water?
If the odor of your water is intense or drastic, you should test it right away. That said, keep in mind that the water supply often isn't the source of foul odors. A professional plumber can help you identify the issue.
Deal With Stinky Water Today!
In general, it's best to deal with stinky water issues promptly. You can test the water yourself or hire a plumber to identify and repair the problem.
At Tim Beil Plumbing, we have plenty of experience addressing all plumbing and water treatment needs in the Lehigh Valley, PA. We believe in transparent pricing and use state-of-the-art equipment manufactured by Kinetico!
Contact us here for a free water test or to learn more about our water treatment solutions!
