[jonarnold85]

Hey Guys!

Looking for some help with a situation I've had pop up.

We have our own well and an aerobic septic system. Over the last month or so, anytime I turn the water on, regardless of the location, it has a smell to it that smells very much like septic to me. From what I can tell it's only when I run the cold water (only tested twice but seems accurate). The smell goes away after the water has run for about 5 seconds but it always comes back if I haven't used the water in a little bit.

Any ideas? We're likely going to have a plumber come out soon anyways because our sink is backing up on both sides when we run the water (I assume unrelated? lol)

Thanks in advance!

 

[jmon]

Sewer/rotten egg smell from water could be your well water needs a filter system change or water heater could be causing a sulfuric reaction some how. Just a thought. anode rod usual culprit here.

Kitchen sink drain backing up on both sides may just be a clog. very common for kitchen sinks. Remove traps and snake from there. I agree with you, unrelated to your drinking water smelling like rotten eggs.

Your plumber will know what to do. he has all the tools needed.

 

[joecaption]

A bad anode would only effect the hot water, not the cold water.
Consider having the water tested so you know exactly what the issue is and how to treat it.

 

[House Designer]

Well conditions do change over time. My well water has always had sulfur. It stinks to high heaven if I don't run the peroxide injection system and catalytic filter. Things were fine for a year, but then my water got smelly, even with a working treatment system. After I tested the raw (untreated) water, it turns out that the sulfur content had almost doubled, requiring a change in the peroxide injection rate to have odorless water. You should get your water tested for bacteria and sulfur.

 

[Mystriss]

We have a tank septic system and the only time ours ever smells is if we forget to flush or run one of the bathroom faucets/toilets - I was told that the water evaporates to the point that the p-trap is empty/nearly empty and that lets the gas bubble out.

One of the kids flushed a fireman toy and caused a clog once which made a smell, but it was more like a poop smell than a full blown septic smell... They're different, JS.

Still, I'd probably test the water just for GP. As was mentioned, well water does change over time.

 

[evens123]

Hi!!
The chances are your water source might be infested with bacteria after decomposing food and waste.The common causes of the presence of sulfur bacteria and hydrogen gas are the organic matters that accumulate in the drain. These can be any form from the food waste to the residue of your shampoo. This will produce heavy gas that goes up from the drain with every use of water. In some cases it could be because of water heater.For households with a water heater, the best solution is to increase the temperature of the device overnight to eliminate the cause of the odor. The increasing temperature will help flush off the anaerobic bacteria.

 

[Old Thomas]

How far apart are our well and septic systems? Do you know the typical flow direction of underground water? How deep is the well?