Does your water smell like rotten eggs? Well, you’re not alone. Many homes in the region are plagued by a rotten egg smell in their water. This is hydrogen sulfide, which can be caused by the metabolism of a non-harmful bacteria called “sulfate reducing bacteria.” In this area we also have hydrogen sulfide gas that is caused by a natural chemical reaction in deep wells.
The characteristics of these two types differ, but in both cases the resulting odor is certainly unpleasant. In some cases the odor is intermittent, building up while the water sits and flushing out with use. In other cases it is constant and can be quite overwhelming. In this region the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas is not a health issue, though it dramatically lessens the quality of life for the users of the water supply.