What is Causing My Smelly Water?

And How Do I Fix It?

Rotten egg smell in your water is usually one of two culprits: Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) or Sulfates.

H2S is a mineral released from the earth that finds its way into groundwater.

Sulfates are sulfur-containing compounds found in nature that bacteria can turn into H2S.

H2S in gas form is dangerous, however, when dissolved in water it is less so, but it still poses health risks. 

So how does H2S get in your water? It is often there naturally. If you are on city water, an attempt has been made to reduce it to “not unhealthy” levels. 

If you are on well water, it’s especially common in wells located near shale, sandstone, coal, peat, or oil, like those in many areas of the State.

Occasionally, a rotten-egg smell in your water could also be associated with sewage contamination or bacteria in your water heater.

The most important thing to note is that it is ALWAYS worthwhile to get your water tested if you have smelly water. 

Protect appliances, fixtures, and clothing from iron staining, and eliminate the rotten-egg odor caused by hydrogen sulfide gas in your water today!

Danger H2S sign
iron sulfur water systems
Smelly Water Solutions

So how do you fix water that smells like sulfur?

 

The first step is to figure out what is actually causing the smell. That usually involves a water test.

Next, once you know the cause, then you can move on to removing the contaminants, which, with H2S, isn’t usually as simple as adding in a filter.

This is where it becomes useful to have professional help. For Oregon homeowners, Shiloh Water Systems will do Free water testing to determine the source of the smell.

With those test results, we can tell you exactly what you’ll need to fix the problem. We have plenty of experience with the local water, and we know what works.

After that, there’s no obligation to purchase equipment from us. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your family. 

Fill Out The Contact Form or Call 503-436-6996 Now!

Local Oregon Reviews

Alan V.
16 hours ago
We were having issues with running water from our well. Call for help, and help arrived 3 hours later. We had a quick diagnosis of a blown capacitor, and the part was changed in less than 30 minutes. Threw in some random questions at the end of the maintenance, and wound up stocking up on a couple new filters that the tech had in his truck. Fast and friendly was really appreciated.
Ida L.
6 days ago
Friendly and efficient. Job was explained and done quickly. I had Dante as the representative.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your 5-star review, Ida! We're thrilled to hear that you found our team at Shiloh Water Systems, Inc. friendly and efficient. It's great to know that we could explain the job clearly and get it done quickly for you. We appreciate your support!
Elizabeth W.
7 days ago
After an Amazon driver drove into our well pump, rendering it useless, Shiloh had us back in waterworld the next day (which was the earliest they could come). The only issue was some confusion over backfilling, which they said they’d do & didn’t. We ended up doing ourselves which wasn’t a big deal. It would’ve been nice if they’d credit our account with said work (only bc it was supposed to be completed by them) but it’s all good. Still giving 5 stars: the guys were friendly, knowledgeable, & answered all of my annoying questions with humor & a bit of grace. We’ve used Shiloh for years & will continue to do so!
John O.
1 week ago
I think the job is incomplete even though the person visiting the site was very pleasant in obtaining the information. I am still waiting for an analysis, a proposal on how to move forward, and an estimate of the well treatment. So far nothing after site visit. Still waiting for an incomplete job.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your 5-star review, John! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with Shiloh Water Systems, Inc. Your support means a lot to us, and we’re here anytime you need assistance in the future!