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The most common odor complaint "rotten egg
smell" is derived from hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in the water.
Concentrations as little as 1 ppm, can result in this odor.
Most often "smelly water" will be noticed with well water or when a
water heater has not been used for a long time allowing the accumulation of
this hydrogen sulfide gas. Active use of the water heater may reduce the
problem.
The smell is an effect of four factors that must all be present for the odor
to develop. These factors include:
1. A high concentration of sulfate in the raw water
2. Sulfate reducing bacteria, non-toxic to humans (sulfate is reduced to a
sulfide state by the bacteria)
3. Little or no dissolved oxygen in the water
4. Hydrogen (a component of water may be present due to water conditions
reacting with the anode).
With these factors the hydrogen and sulfur combine to form the hydrogen
sulfide gas that gives off the rotten egg, smelly, odor to the water.
A water heater has at least one anode rod for corrosion protection. Smelly
water can most easily be eliminated or reduced by replacing the anode(s) with
one of less active material and then chlorinating the water heater tank and
all hot water lines with a household bleach.
Replacing the Anode Replacement can reduce hydrogen ions, but does not
eliminate the sulfate reducing bacteria introduced into the water heater
through the water supply, therefore "smelly water" can still be
present. Chlorination of your water heater may help for a short time or for
water heaters where the "smelly water" condition only occurs when
the water heater has not been in use for a long time. A long-term resolution
may require chlorination of your well or water supply into the home.
Chlorination Procedure
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