If your well water smells like rotten eggs — especially the hot water — you're almost certainly dealing with hydrogen sulfide gas. It's one of the most common complaints we hear from Hill Country and Highland Lakes well owners.
What causes the smell
Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is produced by naturally occurring sulfur and by sulfur-reducing bacteria in groundwater. It frequently shows up alongside iron and manganese, which is why the same wells often have both a sulfur smell and orange-brown staining. If the odor is worse from the hot tap only, the water heater's anode rod can also be a contributor.
Why you shouldn't just live with it
Beyond the unpleasant smell, hydrogen sulfide is corrosive — it can tarnish silver and copper and shorten the life of plumbing and fixtures. And because it often travels with bacteria, the smell can be a clue that your well deserves a closer look.
How to get rid of it
The reliable fix is oxidation and filtration. Our MM-OX multimedia oxidizing filter oxidizes hydrogen sulfide (and iron and manganese) into particles it then filters out, regenerating with ambient air rather than harsh chemicals. Where bacteria are present, we add UV disinfection. A softener still handles the hardness, and reverse osmosis polishes drinking water.
Because wells usually have more than one issue at once, we start with testing — see our well water solutions for the full picture.
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