Why Is My Well Water Stinky? Causes & How to Fix It | Repair Assured LLC

Why Does My Well Water Smell Bad?

If your well water smells stinky, rotten, musty, or metallic, you’re not alone. Many homeowners in South Florida experience strong odors coming from their faucets — especially from hot water. These smells can range from unpleasant to unbearable, and they always signal an underlying water issue.

The good news? Most well water odors are fixable with the right filtration or treatment system.

At Repair Assured LLC, we diagnose and treat all types of well water problems so you can enjoy clean, odor-free water again.

Common Causes of Stinky Well Water

Let’s break down the most common reasons your well water may smell bad — and what each odor means.

1. Rotten Egg Smell (Hydrogen Sulfide Gas)

This is the #1 cause of stinky well water.

What it smells like:🥚 Rotten eggs💨 Sewer or sulfur smell

What causes it:

• Hydrogen sulfide gas naturally occurring in groundwater

• Sulfur-producing bacteria in the well or plumbing

• Reaction between your hot water heater and sulfur

Health concerns:Low levels aren’t usually dangerous, but the odor is strong and unpleasant — and can corrode plumbing.

How to fix it:

• Air-injection sulfur filter

• Catalytic carbon tank

• Chlorination + carbon filtration

• Shock chlorination of the well

• Replace hot water heater anode rod if smell is only in hot water

2. Musty or Earthy Smell

What it smells like:🪵 Wet dirt, soil, or algae🍂 Old basement smell

What causes it:

• Iron bacteria

• Organic matter entering the well

• Algae in outdoor plumbing or storage tanks

How to fix it:

• Shock the well with chlorine

• Install a sediment filter

• Use a UV sanitizing light

• Add carbon filtration to reduce organic odors

3. Metallic or Rusty Smell

What it smells like:🔩 Rust, metal, or pennies

What causes it:

• High iron levels

• High manganese levels

• Metal pipes corroding

• Oxidized minerals from old wells

How to fix it:

• Iron filtration system (air injection or Katalox Light)

• Water softener (for low–medium iron)

• Replace failing plumbing components

4. Sewage or Waste-Like Odor

What it smells like:🚫 Sewage, waste, or swamp smell

What causes it:

• Bacterial contamination

• Failing septic system too close to well

• Surface runoff entering well

• Broken or cracked well casing

This is a serious issue and requires immediate attention.

How to fix it:

• Test water for bacteria immediately

• Shock chlorinate the well

• Inspect and repair well components

• Install UV purification or chlorination system

5. Chlorine or Chemical Smell

What it smells like:🧪 Strong pool or chemical odor

What causes it:

• Nearby agricultural or pesticide runoff

• Old chlorine from well disinfection

• Chemical contamination from groundwater intrusion

How to fix it:

• Carbon filtration

• VOC filters

• Full water test for chemical contamination

How to Tell Where the Smell Is Coming From

Before choosing a solution, identify where the odor appears:

1. Hot Water Only

Likely caused by your water heater anode rod reacting with sulfur.Fix: Replace rod with aluminum/zinc.

2. Cold Water Only

The well or plumbing is the source.Fix: Filter or disinfect well.

3. Both Hot & Cold

Contamination is in the well itself.Fix: Install proper well treatment system.

4. Only One Faucet

That fixture may have stagnant bacteria.Fix: Clean aerator, flush lines.

Best Solutions for Smelly Well Water

1. Air Injection Oxidation System (AIO Tank)

Best for: Sulfur, iron, manganeseAir oxidizes contaminants → filtered out by media like Katalox Light.✔ No chemicals✔ Long-lasting✔ Very effective

2. Catalytic Carbon Filtration

Best for: Chlorine-like odors, organic smells, sulfur✔ Improves taste & smell✔ Works well with other systems

3. Shock Chlorination

Best for: Bacteria, strong odors✔ Fast and affordable✔ Temporary solution; may need repeating

4. UV Purification System

Best for: Bacteria, odor-causing microbes✔ Chemical-free✔ Constant sterilization

5. Reverse Osmosis (RO)

Best for: Drinking water with high TDS, bad taste, or odor✔ Produces purified drinking water✔ Removes metals, salts, and foul taste

Should You Test Your Well Water?

Yes — especially if:

• The smell started suddenly

• Someone in your home has health concerns

• You live near farms, septic systems, or coastal areas

• Your water has never been tested

Repair Assured LLC provides professional well water testing and full treatment recommendations.

Final Thoughts

Stinky well water is a common problem, but it should never be ignored. Odors can point to bacteria, sulfur, iron, or even system contamination. With the right filtration or treatment system, you can enjoy fresh, clean, odor-free water again.

Fix Your Well Water Odor with Repair Assured LLC

We specialize in diagnosing and treating well water problems across South Florida. Our services include:

• Odor elimination

• Iron & sulfur filtration systems

• Shock well sanitizing

• Reverse osmosis installation

• Carbon filtration

• UV purification

• Full well water testing

📞 Call/Text: (754) 333-0826

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