My water is smelly or dark colored.

How can I get rid of that rotten egg smell?  

Ever experienced water that smells like rotten eggs? It's not pleasant. Information included here will help you understand what causes this circumstance and how to treat it.

Smelly water or the "rotten egg" smell in hot water is caused by sulfate reducing bacteria in the water. While the smell is a nuisance, the bacteria is not harmful.

To aid in the prevention of future occurrences, we would also recommend the use of anode rod. See your local distributor to purchase this part.

For well water and repeated problems with smelly water, chlorination of the well in addition to the water heater may be necessary.

PROCEDURE FOR CHLORINATION OF WELLS

Problems of iron bacteria, organic growths, algae, and their associated tastes and odors, can often be eliminated by a complete chlorination of the well and distribution piping. (See exceptions under “Note” below.) Bacteria, while harmless, utilize iron in water for their growth and in so doing surround themselves with relatively large slimy masses of iron. They attach themselves and grow on all surfaces in contact with the water. Pressure tanks, storage tanks, softeners, or filters offer excellent breeding places. They can be completely destroyed in most cases by thoroughly chlorinating the well and complete piping system. The method commonly used to chlorinate household wells is as follows:

• Flush pressure tank to remove all loose sedimentary material.
• Mix 2 gallons of household bleach and 4 ounces of soluble food grade Polyphosphate (MCC-505) in approximately 5 gallons of water.
• Remove the top well casing seal and pour entire contents into well.
• Connect a hose to any outside faucet and insert the discharge end of the hose into the well casing.
• Open the faucet and allow the water to circulate for about 15 minutes.

While the water is circulating, open each hot and cold water tap until a chlorine odor can be detected.

• NOTE: It would be ideal at this point to loosen the top spud of the pressure tank so that the entire tank will fill with chlorine solution. The tank can later be drained and recharged with air.
• Pour 1 more gallon of undiluted bleach into the well casing and continue to circulate for an additional 15 minutes.
•  After the circulating period, the system should be shut down and allowed to remain quiet for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
• Do not use water, except for toilets, until the system has been thoroughly flushed.
• Flush the well first by removing the hose from the well casing and opening the hose faucet until the discharge is free of chlorine.
• Then open each hot and cold tap and allow to run until water is free of chlorine.

NOTE: The above chlorination procedure is not effective for removing all of the rotten egg odor of sulfur waters, or for killing bacteria where septic drainage, etc. has contaminated the underground water supply. In these cases, or when the well is such that it cannot be chlorinated, continuous chlorination with a chemical solution pump and filtration through an activated carbon filter is recommended. In severe cases of pollution, relocation of the well is the best alternative.

Full name:
Email address:
Question: