Find the source in five minutes
| Where you smell it | Likely source |
|---|---|
| Hot taps only | Water heater and its anode rod |
| Hot and cold, every tap, on a well | Hydrogen sulfide in the groundwater |
| Outside near sprinklers | Irrigation well water |
| One sink or shower drain | The drain, not the water |
The water heater
Tank water heaters use a sacrificial anode rod, often magnesium, to slow corrosion. In warm, still water, bacteria can react with it and give off hydrogen sulfide. PBCWUD lists checking and draining your water heater according to the manufacturer among its tips for keeping water quality good from meter to tap. A plumber can flush the tank or change the rod type; check the heater maker's guidance first so you do not affect the warranty.
Why a filter usually will not fix it
The gas forms inside the heater, after the water has already passed through any whole-home filter. That is why Jorge checks the heater before recommending equipment. If the heater is the cause, you may not need a water treatment system at all.
Private and irrigation wells
Groundwater in the area can carry hydrogen sulfide. The county treats its well water at its plants; a private well gets no such treatment. On a drinking well, the fix is chosen from the well's test and may combine aeration or oxidation with filtration, often alongside iron removal. Irrigation wells are never treated, so sulfur near sprinkler heads is common. See well water treatment in Royal Palm Beach and aeration vs. filtration for sulfur.
Ask a plumber to check the heater's age too; heaters near the end of their life often develop smell and sediment problems together.
During the county chlorine switch
Twice a year, when PBCWUD switches to chlorine only, people notice a stronger chlorine smell, not a sulfur one. If you smell rotten eggs during those weeks, the cause is still most likely the heater or a well.
Seasonal residents who leave the house closed for months often notice the strongest smell on the first hot shower after returning. Run each hot tap for a few minutes, then each cold tap, one room at a time. If the smell keeps coming back with normal daily use, the heater needs attention.
What Jorge checks
Hot and cold taps, disinfectant level, pH, iron and TDS, plus the heater's age and how often each bathroom is used. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://discover.pbc.gov/waterutilities/PubDoc/CCR_2025.pdf
https://discover.pbcgov.org/waterutilities/Pages/Water-Quality.aspx
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist