Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs in Hollywood

Hot only, or hot and cold?

This one question narrows it down fast:

• Hot water only: points to the water heater.
• Hot and cold, at every tap: points to the water source, most often a well.
• One sink only: can be a drain odor rather than the water. Fill a glass, step away from the sink and smell it.

The city-water cause: your water heater

Hollywood's city water is treated at the city's plant and carries a chloramine residual; it is not a typical source of sulfur odor. But tank water heaters contain a sacrificial anode rod, often magnesium, that can react in warm, still water and produce a rotten-egg smell. It is more common after the heater sits unused, for example in a seasonal condo near the beach.

Common fixes, best done by a plumber or the heater's manufacturer guidance:

• Flush the tank.
• Replace the anode with a different type (such as aluminum-zinc or powered).
• Have the heater checked if it is old.

A whole-home filter is not the fix for an anode problem.

The well-water cause: hydrogen sulfide

Groundwater in South Florida can contain dissolved hydrogen sulfide. In Hollywood, that matters mainly for homes using a private well or an irrigation well. Sprinkler water with a sulfur smell is common with shallow wells. If you drink from a well, treatment is configured from that well's test. Options include:

• Aeration, which lets the gas escape before filtration.
• Oxidation and filtration to convert and remove sulfur.
• Carbon for low levels.

Compare approaches in aeration vs. filtration for sulfur smells.

Seasonal homes and the smell

Hollywood has many part-time residents in beach condos and townhomes. When a water heater sits unused for weeks, the water in the tank goes stagnant, which is exactly when an anode-related smell tends to show up. Running the hot water for a few minutes after you return often clears a mild odor. If it keeps coming back, it is worth having the heater looked at. A free test of hot and cold water confirms the source before you spend money on equipment.

What to test

• Hot and cold taps separately.
• Hydrogen sulfide and iron on well water, since they often travel together.
• pH and hardness, which affect how well treatment works.

For drinking wells, the Florida Department of Health also recommends testing for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year through a certified lab.

When to call the utility

If cold city water suddenly smells unusual across the house, call the City of Hollywood Department of Public Utilities at 954-967-4357 before buying anything. A sudden change is something the utility should hear about.

Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist