Narrow it down in five minutes
- Fill a glass from a cold tap and step away from the sink. Smell it there.
- Do the same with hot water.
- Check the sprinklers next time they run.
| Result | Most likely source |
|---|---|
| Hot only | Water heater |
| Neither glass smells, but the sink does | The drain, not the water |
| Outdoors, when sprinklers run | Irrigation well water |
| Hot and cold, on a well | Hydrogen sulfide in the groundwater |
Why water heaters do this
Tank heaters protect themselves from corrosion with a sacrificial anode rod, often magnesium. In warm water that sits, bacteria can react with the rod and give off hydrogen sulfide. It is more noticeable in a guest bathroom or after a trip. Miami-Dade's chloramine, which WASD adds to keep water disinfected in the pipes, does not always prevent this inside a warm tank.
A plumber can flush the heater or swap the rod type. Check the manufacturer's guidance first, since rod changes can affect a warranty.
Why the county water usually is not the cause
Hydrogen sulfide is a known issue in raw groundwater, and Miami-Dade's plants treat the water before it reaches the city's pipes. WASD's report describes air stripping at the Hialeah and John E. Preston plants, the plants that generally serve homes north of SW 8 Street. If a smell shows up on cold water from every tap, call the Hialeah Gardens Water and Sewer Department at (305) 822-3017 so they can check.
Irrigation and private wells
Some properties run sprinklers from a shallow well. That water is untreated and can carry sulfur odor and iron, which shows up as smell and orange stains outdoors. A private drinking well needs treatment chosen from its test, often oxidation or aeration plus filtration. See aeration vs. filtration and well water treatment in Hialeah Gardens.
Quick fixes to try first
- If the smell is in one bathroom you rarely use, run the hot water there for a few minutes and see if it fades.
- If you were away, flush each hot tap after you return.
- Pour water down unused drains so the trap does not dry out and let sewer gas in.
- Note when it happens: morning only, after vacation, or all the time. That pattern helps pinpoint the cause.
If none of that helps, or the smell is on cold water too, it is time to test.
What Jorge checks
Hot and cold samples, chloramine, pH and iron, and the age and type of your water heater. If the heater is the cause, he tells you, and you may not need any filter. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/water/documents/2025-water-quality-report.pdf
https://www.cityofhialeahgardens.com/departments/water-and-sewer
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist