Why city water rarely brings the smell
Shallow groundwater in South Florida can carry hydrogen sulfide, the gas that smells like rotten eggs. Delray's treatment plant handles that at the start: raw water from the city's 30 surficial aquifer wells is first aerated to remove natural gases, then lime-softened, filtered and disinfected with chloramines. So if your house smells, look at what happens after the meter.
The hot-and-cold check
| What you notice | Likely source |
|---|---|
| Hot taps only | Water heater anode reaction |
| Strong at first, fades as water runs | Sulfur bacteria in a well or plumbing |
| Constant on hot and cold, on a well | Hydrogen sulfide in the groundwater |
| Only water that passed through a softener | Bacteria in the softener |
| One drain only | The drain or P-trap, not the water |
This sorting follows the Florida Department of Health's fact sheet on well odor and staining, and it works for city homes too.
Fixing a water heater smell
Tank heaters use a sacrificial anode rod, often magnesium, to protect the tank. Under some conditions a reaction at the rod produces hydrogen sulfide, and it builds up when hot water sits, such as after a trip. A licensed plumber can flush the tank or change the rod type. Check the heater manufacturer's guidance before changing the rod, since it can affect the warranty. A whole-home filter installed before the heater will not stop gas that forms inside it.
Wells and sprinklers
Some Delray properties irrigate from a private well rather than reclaimed or city water. That water skips the city's aeration and can carry sulfur odor and iron, so a smell around the sprinklers is common and separate from your tap water. For a drinking well, hydrogen sulfide is treated with methods chosen from the test, such as aeration or oxidation plus filtration. Compare aeration vs. filtration for sulfur smells and see well water in Delray Beach.
Is it harmful?
The Florida Department of Health notes that sulfur bacteria are not harmful and that in most cases the rotten-egg smell does not relate to how clean well water is. Well owners should still test regularly for total coliform bacteria and E. coli. On city water, the smell is a comfort and plumbing issue.
What Jorge checks
Hot and cold taps, chloramine, pH and iron, plus the heater's age and how each bathroom is used. If the heater is the cause, he tells you, and you may not need any equipment. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/government/city-departments/utilities/drinking-water
https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/15661/639117568552970000
https://www.floridahealth.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/well-water-facts-odor-staining.pdf
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist