Why Does My Water Smell Like Eggs?

Texas Homeowner’s Guide to That Rotten Egg Smell and How to Fix It

Imagine turning on your faucet and being greeted by a smell reminiscent of rotten eggs. It's not just unpleasant; it's a sign that something's amiss with your water. It’s a common issue across Texas, especially in areas like San Antonio, New Braunfels, and surrounding regions with naturally hard, mineral-rich groundwater.

Let’s break down what causes it, why it matters, and what you can do to get rid of it—for good.

What Is That Smell?

The "rotten egg" odor is almost always caused by hydrogen sulfide gas. It can show up in both well water and city water, although it’s more common in private wells.

How Does Hydrogen Sulfide Get into My Water?

• Bacterial activity: Certain types of bacterial, typically sulfur-reducing bacteria—feed on sulfur compounds in groundwater. In the process, they release hydrogen sulfide gas.

• Water heaters: The anode rod inside your water heater can react with naturally occurring sulfate in the water, especially in hard water regions like Central Texas.

• Municipal systems: Occasionally, municipal water systems experience disruptions that can temporarily release sulfur compounds into the water supply.

Is Hydrogen Sulfide Harmful?

Hydrogen sulfide isn’t usually harmful in low concentrations. That said, it can cause:

• Corrosion in pipes and appliances

• Black or yellow staining on fixtures and laundry

• Unpleasant taste and odor in drinking water

• Headaches or nausea at higher concentrations

• Tarnished silverware and foul-smelling showers

  
  

Even if it’s not dangerous to your health, it’s definitely hard on your home.

Signs You Have Hydrogen Sulfide in Your Water

It’s not always just about the smell. Other signs include:

• Water that tastes metallic or sulfuric

• Yellow or black discoloration in sinks and tubs

• Silverware that quickly tarnishes

• A smell that’s stronger from hot water taps

  
  

These are especially common in homes with older plumbing or those on well water systems.

What You Can Do: Solutions From Texas Blue Water

We don’t do “off-the-shelf” fixes. Our team installs customized water filtration systems made for Texas water, and the sulfur problem is one we solve often.

Here are the most common and effective product-based solutions we offer:

1. Whole-Home Filtration Systems

Best for: Municipal water with moderate sulfur odors

If your entire house smells (not just one faucet), it’s likely a system-wide issue. Our whole-home filtration systems target odor, chlorine, sediment, and more, all before it reaches your tap.

How it works: We install a system at the point where water enters your home. With high-performance media and smart automation, it removes sulfur compounds and other contaminants before they cause issues.

Bonus: These systems are low-maintenance and automatically regenerate, saving you time and hassle.

2. Activated Carbon Filters

Best for: Moderate sulfur smells, chlorine, and chemical odors

If you’re dealing with that sulfuric “rotten egg” smell but also noticing chemical tastes or chlorine in your water, activated carbon filtration is often the most straightforward and reliable fix.

How it works: Activated carbon is highly porous, allowing it to trap hydrogen sulfide gas, along with other organic compounds that cause taste and odor issues. As water passes through the carbon media, the sulfur smell is removed—along with things like chlorine, VOCs, and other common contaminants found in Texas water.

3. Water Softener + Filtration Combo Systems

Best for: Hard water with sulfur or iron content

Many Texas homes don’t just deal with sulfur—they also deal with extreme hard water and iron staining. For that, we offer dual-function systems that soften and filter your water at the same time.

How it works: These combo systems reduce mineral buildup and eliminate odor in one go, protecting your plumbing and improving water feel (hello, softer skin and hair).

4. RO (Reverse Osmosis) Systems for Drinking Water

Best for: Drinking water that smells or tastes “off”

If the sulfur odor is mostly affecting your drinking or cooking water, our under-sink reverse osmosis systems are a game-changer.

How it works: We install a compact unit under your sink that pushes water through multiple stages of filtration—including a carbon stage that removes odors and chemicals. You get clean, crisp water straight from a dedicated faucet.

Why Trust Texas Blue Water?

We’re not a big box store. We’re local. We know exactly what’s in South and Central Texas water—and we’ve helped thousands of homeowners fix problems like sulfur odor, iron staining, and extreme hardness without overcomplicating it.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Free in-home water testing

• Tailored filtration recommendations

• Expert installation from our local team

• Systems built to last—with real warranties

You Deserve Better Water

If your water smells like rotten eggs, it’s more than a nuisance—it’s a fixable problem. Whether it’s your heater, well, or city supply, Texas Blue Water has the tools to solve it.

Schedule a water test and say goodbye to sulfur smells for good.

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