Find the source in two minutes
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Hot water only, worse after days away | Water heater anode rod reaction |
| Hot and cold, every tap, on a well | Hydrogen sulfide in the well water |
| Only around sprinklers outdoors | Irrigation well water |
| One sink only | Usually the drain, not the water |
The water heater explanation
Tank water heaters use a sacrificial anode rod, often magnesium, to protect the steel tank. In warm, still water, sulfate-reducing bacteria can react with the rod and give off hydrogen sulfide. It happens in homes on perfectly good city water. A plumber can flush the tank, raise the temperature temporarily, or swap the rod type; check the manufacturer's guidance first, since changes can affect the warranty.
If this is your situation, you may not need a water treatment system at all, and Jorge will tell you so.
Private wells around Florida City
Inside city limits, homes are generally on the City of Florida City's system. Outside them, some rural and agricultural properties rely on private wells, and Miami-Dade publishes an open-data list of properties potentially served by septic or wells. Hydrogen sulfide in a drinking well is treated with methods chosen from the well's test, such as aeration or oxidation followed by filtration. Iron often comes with it, which changes the design. See aeration vs. filtration for sulfur smells.
Irrigation wells
Sprinklers fed by a shallow well can leave a sulfur smell in the yard and orange marks on walls. That water does not reach your faucets. Miami-Dade's outdoor watering restrictions apply to any water source, including private wells. For stains, see orange and rust stains in Florida City.
When the smell is in the drain
If the smell is strongest at one sink and disappears when you fill a glass and step away, the source is often the drain trap or overflow, not the water. Run water into a glass, walk to another room and smell it. If the glass is fine, call a plumber about the drain. Jorge checks this on every visit because it saves people from buying equipment they do not need.
What Jorge checks
- Hot and cold taps separately.
- Chlorine level, which shows whether city water is reaching that tap as expected.
- Iron and pH.
- Water heater age and how often the house sits empty.
- For wells: wellhead sample and existing equipment.
Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.
https://www.floridacityfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/348/2025-Florida-City-CCR-FINAL
https://opendata.miamidade.gov/datasets/potential-properties-served-by-septic-or-well
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/water/conservation/outdoor-water-restrictions.page
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist