Sulfur/Sewage smell in water?

Question

I live in an apartment building, and at least once a day I have a HORRIBLE odor coming from the plumbing fixtures. It doesn't matter which fixture I am using ... it strikes everywhere in the apartment. It's a very strong odor but it does fade after awhile. The maintenance men all think I'm nuts because by the time they get here (usually a few hours after I've called) the smell has gone. They assure me that it's not sewage, but have never done anything to fix the smell. What can it be? Maybe if I offer a suggestion then they'll actually check it out?

Answer 1

next time you get the smell collect about a gallon of the water and take it to the health department and ask them to check the water for you. if its unsanitary they will tell you.

Answer 2

Well there are a couple of things that can be done.. First of all, the smell that you are smelling is a harmless gas that developes in wells, that are open. Open well vs. a sealed well. Both waters a good for drinking and the sulfur smell does not transfer into taste of the water. I agree the smell does get terrible at times. Since it seems that your apartment complex maybe using a well to source their water supply, they could pour a gallon of bleach directly into the well. Which will kill the smell, and the chlorine will not hurt you, unless the concentration of clorine to water ratio is extremly high. (Little water vs. Alot of bleach)
I have a well system at my house and we deal with this smell alot.. Exspecially during the wet season, or just after a rain. If the smell bothers you alot, or if you feel that the sulpher smell is affecting the taste, there are many good water filters on the market that will help "clean" the water before you use it. Also even though the smell comes through the pipes, taking a shower in this water, will not make you smell like the water. once the gas is released, the smell evaporates.

Answer 3

I'll take a shot at this because I've experienced it from time to time in areas that I've lived in.
First make sure it's sulfur and not Magnesium from the hot water, are you using the hot water when you smell this. Then it's from the magnesium rod in the water tank. It's there to keep the water heater from corroding and actually corrodes itself while it's working.
When it starts getting old , the tank is old and it starts to smell worse. It should be removed from the tank and a plug to replace it.

It could also be the time the water sits in the plumbing. After awhile, unfortunately your the one to be first to use it and your actually getting stale water that has an bacteria Iron smell to it. The Iron is called Bactria Iron and the Bacteria part is Inert, meaning not alive, it's from the heavy concentration of Iron in the water, it will give it an "Eggy" smell, of sulfuric smell.
Does the water in your potatoes turn dark while boiling? an indication, the iron chemically ionizes with the starches in the potato and turns dark or, inky. White clothes in the washer turn a faded grey after awhile.

What it amounts to is a heavy concentration of chemicals, non harmful, and natural, in the well. This cannot be changed with "Bleach" or other additives, The well has to be drilled deeper to get out of this Pan. I can go on but, it's getting to deep already. Good luck

Answer 4

I would check down wind from where you live. I work down wind from the city sewage plant and on certain day's when the wind is blowing the right direction We all get a wif of it before work. If it is sulfur you should be able to smell that all the time. If the smell is coming through your drains,they do not have traps installed on your pluming. Odor should not come backwards through your drains. If you have sulfur water allot of people in the vicinity will have rotted teeth.

Answer 5

Some water supplies have high levels of sulfur and or iron. This can result in the smell you are experiencing. It is not usually harmful, other than the smell problem. If you notice that the hot water is worse than the cold, this is a result of the sulfur/iron consuming bacteria making the matters worse. In most chlorinated systems, this should not be a major problem. If the hot water heater is thoroughly cleaned, this may help.

Answer 6

Odorless or tasteless water would not exist, neither does chemically organic water in its organic state. Water could be tasted like wine, its style and smell could be enjoyed, sought out and in comparison as is illustrated by utilising the recent beginning of water bars.

Answer 7

Toilets have to have a vent pipe leading to the out side"Usually you can see the top of the pipe on a roof. If you live on the upper levels of the apartment it is possible maybe the vent pipe is on an outside wall close to your apartment.Or maybe that pipe is clogged?

Answer 8

If you live a few floors up, there could be sulfer, go to you local pool store and get a water testing kit.

Answer 9

It could be coming from the trap in one of your drains.