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Water from the faucets smells like sulfur. Mildly concerned about it.
Kristmas Kthulhu
Currently Kultist KthulhuRegistered User regular
Currently Kultist KthulhuRegistered User regular
This post is actually for a friend of mine who lives way out in the boonies. I assume that this has been a problem for quite some time, as she now treats it like something she just has to "deal with," but all the water in her house that comes from a faucet has a strong, distinct smell of sulfur. It's not overpowering or sickening, but certainly unpleasant enough that any time I wash my hands, I have to hold my breath.
I suppose what I want to know is: how likely is it that this is directly harmful to human beings and animals? I mean, she showers in it, makes tea with it, cleans her dishes with it, and lets her pets drink it. Is it not one of the water company's duties to make sure that this isn't a serious problem? And, even assuming that it's completely harmless, why should anyone be forced to live with such an unpleasant odor day in and day out? Is there anything that can feasibly be done to "fix" the smelly water?
What's the best course of action to take in regards to getting the water tested and the odor neutralized?
I suppose what I want to know is: how likely is it that this is directly harmful to human beings and animals? I mean, she showers in it, makes tea with it, cleans her dishes with it, and lets her pets drink it. Is it not one of the water company's duties to make sure that this isn't a serious problem? And, even assuming that it's completely harmless, why should anyone be forced to live with such an unpleasant odor day in and day out? Is there anything that can feasibly be done to "fix" the smelly water?
What's the best course of action to take in regards to getting the water tested and the odor neutralized?
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She lives about twenty minutes out of town, and has to travel about a mile down a dirt road to reach her house, with two other houses spaced quite a ways away down said road.
You have sulfur in your water. Filter it out. It won't kill you, but it won't smell nice either.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/158629-health-effects-of-sulfur-in-water/
The sulfur like odor comes from Hydrogen sulfide, which occurs naturally and usually made apparent due to a water heater. If it continues to bother and inconvience them, they should have their water tested for nitrate and coliform bacteria. It has no effect on actual water quality other than this odor and taste. As long as it's not from pollution or sewage, there are no real serious health effects.
If there is slime then bacteria will grow, mainly iron bacteria. The main problem with this is that it will clog plumbing and wells. You will know if slime is present if there is staining on plumbing fixtures or your silverware, or dis-colorization after washing clothes.
If they don't have to purchase water, then they have a private well. They should call their local state water regulating agency to get the numbers for state testing laboratories. To order a test is usually pretty cheap, and the lab will send out a kit that then then should be mailed back to them for testing. There are methods on the internet that detail how to narrow down the source of this odor and taste. Some are easier/cheaper to fix than others.
Edit:
The trick with turning up the water heater temperature is if it's below it's usual operating temperature. Bacteria will grow because the water is at a cooler temperature than it should be at, so if you turn the temperature back up (taking mind of the pressure), then it will kill off the bacteria inside the tank.
Most of the time, the problem lies at the well or the water heater. The water heater's magnesium rod, used to reduce corrosion of the tank, is usually the instigator.
Here's a simple way to find the source:
1. If the smell/taste is only from the hot water, it's most likely the water heater.
2. If it's from both hot and cold water, most likely the water softener.
3. If it's from both and goes away after the water has been run for awhile, or the smell varies, it's the well.
4. If it's from both, and the smell/taste persists constantly at the same rate, then it's hydrogen sulfide gas in the well.
Here's quick fixes if it's from the water heater:
1. If it's the water heater: replace the magnesium anode.
2. Disinfect and flush the water heater.
3. Increase the temperature of the water heater for a few hours. Reduce the temperature when finished.
If it's from the well, then they should call their state's water regulating agency.
It depends.
Where I grew up, the township I was in had horrible sulfur water. It was bad enough even after treatment that my parents installed a tank and had water hauled in. We only used well water for the hose / outside, and the neighboring town was just disgusting. The town was older / out of the way, and every building just reeked. One of the quarries outside of town was one of the best sources of sulfur in the country, and has some of the best and largest examples of sulfur specimens.
As soon as they piped in fresh water the town exploded, but it didn't have any development until then. Well water was fine in all the neighboring townships.