Hot, cold, or the drain?
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Hot water only, every tap | Water heater |
| Hot and cold, every tap | The water supply, usually a well |
| One sink, but a glass of its water smells fine | The drain trap |
| Only when sprinklers run | Irrigation well water |
The water heater
District 1 water leaves Broward County's plant lime softened, filtered and disinfected with chloramines. Inside a tank water heater, a sacrificial anode rod protects the tank. Under the right conditions, warm still water, some sulfate and bacteria, that rod helps produce hydrogen sulfide. It is most common after the heater sits unused, such as after a trip, or in a rarely used guest bath.
A licensed plumber can flush the tank, change the anode to a different alloy, or install a powered anode. Do not pull the anode yourself; it can void the warranty. No whole-house filter fixes a heater problem.
Chlorine smell is a different smell
During District 1's routine free chlorine periods, the water can smell more like a pool for a few weeks. In 2026 the period was extended through September 28. That is a chlorine odor, not rotten eggs, and it fades when the period ends. Notices are posted on Broward County Water and Wastewater Services' home page.
Sprinklers and wells
Some properties in and around Lauderdale Lakes irrigate from shallow wells or from lakes and canals. Shallow groundwater can carry hydrogen sulfide and iron, so the smell arrives with the sprinklers, often with orange staining. If a well supplies the house, the Florida Department of Health's guidance on odor and staining is a good starting point, and treatment options include:
- Aeration to release the gas before the water enters the house.
- Oxidizing filtration for sulfide with iron.
- Carbon for light odors only.
Compare on aeration vs. filtration.
When to call the county
If cold water from every tap smells like rotten eggs and you are on county water, call Broward County Water and Wastewater Services at 954-831-3250 so they can check the line. That is not typical, and it is their system to investigate.
Free test
Jorge checks the cold tap, the hot tap and any well on the property, and tells you which professional actually needs to fix it. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.broward.org/waterservices/WaterQualityReport
https://www.broward.org/WaterServices/Pages/Default.aspx
https://www.floridahealth.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/well-water-facts-odor-staining.pdf
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/environmental-public-health/water-quality/drinking-water/private-wells/
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist