Why does only my hot water smell?

Usually the water heater's anode rod. A plumber can flush the tank or change the anode.

Is sulfur common in Parkland wells?

Hydrogen sulfide occurs in some South Florida groundwater. A well test confirms.

Why does the water smell like a pool in July?

NSID and the Coral Springs-area providers temporarily change chlorination method each July.

Does a well always smell of sulfur?

No. It depends on the groundwater at that location; many wells have little or no odor.

Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs in Parkland

The quick check

Run cold water at a sink; smell it in a clean glass away from the drain.
Repeat with hot water.
Check another bathroom and an outdoor spigot.

Result	Public water home	Well home
Hot only	Water heater	Water heater, sometimes made worse by sulfur in the well
Hot and cold	Unusual; call your provider	Hydrogen sulfide in the well
Sprinklers only	Irrigation well	Irrigation well

Water heaters in big homes

Large Parkland homes sometimes have two water heaters, or a guest wing that sits unused for weeks. Water standing in a heater gives the anode reaction time to build odor. The Florida Department of Health's well water fact sheet also points to the water heater when the smell is only in hot water. A plumber may flush the tank, replace the anode with a different alloy, or adjust the temperature. A whole-home filter will not fix a heater problem.

Private wells

Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally in some South Florida groundwater. The Department of Health notes that sulfur bacteria are a nuisance rather than a health threat, but a drinking well should still be tested for coliform bacteria. Treatment, configured from the test, may include aeration or oxidation followed by filtration. See aeration vs. filtration and well water in Parkland.

If public water smells at every cold tap

Coconut Creek customers: 954-973-6786.
NSID customers: (954) 752-0400.
Parkland Utilities customers: 954-753-7906.

A pool or bleach smell is different: that is chloramine, or NSID's yearly July chlorination period, when the Coral Springs-area providers including NSID temporarily change their chlorination method.

After time away

Seasonal residents and families who travel often notice the smell on return. Water that sits in a water heater for weeks gives the anode reaction time to build odor; running the hot water for several minutes usually clears it. If it keeps coming back every time the home sits, talk to a plumber about the anode. On a well, water standing in the pressure tank and pipes can also smell stronger at first; run the cold water until it clears, and if a strong odor persists, test the well.

Other odors

Musty smells often come from drains, a rarely used bathroom or a dishwasher. Fuel or solvent smells are unusual and should be reported to your provider at once, or investigated right away on a well. Jorge can help narrow things down at the free visit. Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.

Sources:
https://www.floridahealth.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/well-water-facts-odor-staining.pdf
https://www.cityofparkland.org/904/Water-Utilities
https://www.coralsprings.gov/News-Articles/2026/April-June-2026/Water-Chlorination-and-Flushing-to-Take-Place-in-July-2026
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