Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs in Kendall

The 30-second check

1. Run the cold kitchen tap for a minute and smell it.
2. Run the hot tap and smell it.
3. Check a tap you rarely use, like a guest bathroom.

The water heater cause, common on Kendall city water

Most tank water heaters contain a sacrificial anode rod that protects the tank from corrosion. Under some conditions, bacteria in the warm tank interact with the anode and produce hydrogen sulfide. Homes that sit empty for weeks, like seasonal residents, notice it most. A plumber or the heater's manufacturer can advise on flushing the tank or changing the anode type. A whole-home filter on the incoming line is not the fix for a heater problem, and Jorge will tell you so.

The well cause: sulfur in Kendall groundwater

Private wells draw from the Biscayne Aquifer without the treatment WASD applies. Some wells carry hydrogen sulfide, which smells on every tap. The fix depends on how strong it is and what else is in the water, particularly iron. Common approaches include aeration or oxidizing filtration, chosen after a test. Read aeration vs. filtration for sulfur smells and well water treatment in Kendall.

Do not confuse it with chloramine

WASD disinfects Kendall's water with chloramine and periodically switches to free chlorine during maintenance, which can make the smell stronger for a couple of weeks. That is a pool-like or bleach smell, not rotten eggs. If chlorine-type odor is the problem, see the Kendall chloramine filter page.

Get it identified

Jorge checks hot and cold, asks about your heater and whether you have a well, and tests for the culprits. Then he tells you whether you need a plumber, a well treatment system or nothing at all. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.

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