Where is the smell?
| You notice it | Likely source |
|---|---|
| Hot taps only, worse after the water sits | Tank water heater and its anode rod |
| Hot and cold, every tap, on a well | Hydrogen sulfide in the well water |
| One sink only | The drain, not the water |
| Outdoors near sprinklers fed by a well | Untreated irrigation water |
Why the water heater is the usual suspect
Belle Glade's PBCWUD water is treated at the western plant and leaves it chlorinated; the 2025 report lists a chlorine running annual average of 2.57 ppm. That water is not what smells like rotten eggs. Inside a tank water heater, though, warm water sits next to a sacrificial anode rod, often magnesium. Under some conditions, bacteria react with the rod and produce hydrogen sulfide. The result is a smell on hot water only, often strongest in the morning or after a trip.
A plumber can flush the tank or swap the rod for a different type. Check the heater manufacturer's guidance first, since rod changes can affect the warranty.
Private wells
If your property runs on a well, hydrogen sulfide in groundwater is a common nuisance in Florida. Treatment is chosen from the well's test, usually aeration or oxidation followed by filtration, sometimes with carbon polishing. Iron often comes with it. Compare aeration vs. filtration for sulfur smells and see well water treatment.
Homes with a water softener or a heater that sits unused, such as a guest bathroom or a seasonal property, tend to notice it more. Running the hot water for several minutes usually clears the smell temporarily, which is itself a good clue that the heater is the source.
Chlorine smell is a different thing
A pool-like smell is chlorine, not sulfur. Belle Glade's water is chlorinated year-round, and unlike the coast it does not go through the twice-yearly chloramine-to-chlorine switch. If a chlorine smell bothers you, see chlorine filters in Belle Glade.
What Jorge checks
Hot and cold taps separately, chlorine, pH and, on a well, iron and signs of hydrogen sulfide. He also asks about the heater's age and how often each bathroom is used. If the heater is the cause, he will tell you; you may not need a filter at all. Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist