Where is the smell?
| You notice it | Most likely | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water only | Water heater | Flush, check anode rod |
| One sink | Drain trap | Smell a glass away from the sink |
| Hot and cold, all taps | Building plumbing or supply | Call Public Works, test |
| Outdoor only | Drains, landscape or another source | Investigate outside |
Water heaters and the anode rod
Tank water heaters use a sacrificial anode rod to protect the tank. In some water, and especially when hot water sits unused, the rod can contribute to a sulfur smell. A plumber can flush the heater, inspect the rod and, if needed, replace it with a different type recommended by the manufacturer. Turning up the temperature is a decision for a plumber, not a guess.
Condo buildings
Some Surfside buildings have a central hot water plant; others have a heater in each unit. If neighbors on your stack notice the same hot-water smell, report it to management, since it may be the building system. If it is only your unit, your own heater is the first suspect.
Seasonal units
Hot water that sits for weeks while you are away is a classic trigger. On return, run each hot tap for several minutes. If you have under-sink RO, flush it too. If the smell keeps coming back after every trip, ask a plumber about the anode and about vacation settings for your heater.
Wells are a different story
Private wells in South Florida can produce a sulfur smell from hydrogen sulfide in groundwater, which is treated with aeration or specialized filtration. That is not the usual situation in Surfside, where the Town's system supplies homes and, according to Public Works, sprinkler irrigation too. Read aeration vs. filtration for sulfur if you own a well property elsewhere.
Keep a short log
Before calling anyone, write down what you notice for a few days: hot or cold, which taps, morning or evening, how long it lasts, and whether it follows a trip. That short record lets Jorge or a plumber find the cause in one visit. If the smell started after building work, mention it to management too.
Test and sort it out
Jorge compares hot and cold water, checks the chlorine residual to confirm you are on Town water as delivered, and helps you decide whether it is the heater, the building or something to report. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.townofsurfsidefl.gov/docs/default-source/town-news-articles/water-quality-explained-by-public-works.jpg
https://www.townofsurfsidefl.gov/departments-services/utilities/about-utilities
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/release.page?Mduid_release=rel1760030439045816
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist