A two-minute check
| What you notice | Likely source |
|---|---|
| Hot taps only, strongest in the morning or after a trip | Water heater and anode rod |
| Hot and cold, every tap, home on a well | Hydrogen sulfide in the well water |
| Outdoors, when sprinklers run | Irrigation well water |
| One sink or shower only | Often the drain, not the water |
The Florida Department of Health's well water fact sheet uses the same faucet logic.
Why heaters in older homes are suspects
Westchester grew mostly in the 1950s and 1960s, according to the county's history of the area, and many homes still rely on tank water heaters that are well into their service life. Tank heaters use a sacrificial anode rod, often magnesium. Under some conditions, bacteria in warm, still water react with it and produce hydrogen sulfide. WASD's chloramine residual does not prevent this inside the tank.
A licensed plumber can flush the tank or change the anode type. Check your heater's manual first, since changes can affect the warranty.
If you are on a private well
Hydrogen sulfide in a drinking well is treated with equipment chosen from the well's test: aeration, oxidizing filters or carbon, depending on the level. Iron often comes along with sulfur and changes the design. Compare approaches in aeration vs. filtration for sulfur smells, and see well water treatment in Westchester.
Sprinklers that smell
Some Westchester yards water from a shallow irrigation well. That water is untreated and can carry sulfur odor and iron. It does not affect your tap, but it can leave odors near the house and orange stains on walls and walks.
When the smell is the drain
If one sink or shower smells and the water from a glass does not, the smell is probably coming from the drain. A dry trap in a rarely used bathroom, or buildup in an older drain line, can release sewer-like odors that people mistake for the water. Run water in unused fixtures weekly and fill a glass at the tap, then step away from the sink to smell it. If the water itself is odor-free, a plumber is the right call, not a filter.
What Jorge tests
Hot and cold readings, chloramine, pH and iron, plus the heater's age and how each bathroom is used. If the heater is the cause, he will tell you and you may not need any filter. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.floridahealth.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/well-water-facts-odor-staining.pdf
https://www.miamidade.gov/planning/library/reports/nb3-history-of-westchester.pdf
https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/water/documents/2025-water-quality-report.pdf
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist