Identify common water odors, including rotten eggs and wet dog, and discover how to fix these issues.
Depending on the source of the smell, consuming the water could be harmless or a serious health hazard.
If the issue is present in every faucet, themain water supplyis the likely source.
Credit:Getty Images / Kseniya Ovchinnikova
Additionally, identifying the specific smell can help determine what may be causing the issue.
Why Does My Water Smell Like Chlorine?
If the smell doesnt fade, contact your local water supply authority about the problem.
Why Does My Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs?
Over time, organic matter can accumulate in the drains, becoming a prime area for bacterial growth.
Why Does My Water Smell Like Sewage?
The good news is that the water is not contaminated.
However, the scent will linger until the issue is resolved.
Give the chemical reaction about 15 minutes to work, and then use hot water to flush the drain.
Cleaning and maintaining the pressure tank regularly are necessary to prevent or eliminate this issue.
You should treat this issue immediately by having a professional shock chlorinate the well system.
It may be worth installing an automatic chlorinator and an activated carbon filter to treat any future issues.
Why Does My Water Smell Musty?
When iron and oxygen mix, it can create an ideal environment for iron bacteria to thrive.
The musty smell is caused when the iron bacteria in the water die and emit a musty odor.
Why Does My Water Smell Fishy?
Presence of Barium or Cadmium
Barium or cadmium in the water can cause a fishy smell.
Barium is a common metal found in mineral ores.
This metal can seep into the well system or the main water supply pipes, causing a fishy odor.
Installing a reverse osmosis filtration system can treat this issue and get rid of the fishy scent.
This contamination gives the water a musty scent, but it may also produce a fishy smell.
Why Does My Water Smell Like Wet Dog?
A water filtration system designed to capture these minerals before they reach the faucet can treat this.
Bacteria Buildup
Another reason water smells like a wet dog is bacteria buildup.
Why Does My Water Smell Like Metal?
Metal Pipe Deterioration
There are several reasons why your water may smell and even taste like metal.
The most common cause is that the metal pipes throughout the home are beginning to deteriorate.
Even a small point-of-use water softener at the kitchen sink will be a significant improvement.
Generally, the lower the pH level of the water, the more metallic it tastes.
Why Does My Water Smell Like Gas?
Do not drink or use the water.
Look for anoil or fuel spill on the drivewayor in front of the house.
Clean up any spills immediately and contact your local water authority immediately.
communicate with the local water authority to report the problem.
Runoff from Agriculture
Similar issues can occur due to runoff from nearby agricultural sites.
