I moved here a few months ago, and everything seemed fine. I have city water. I have noticed that my laundry (even with dryer sheets) comes out smelling a little like ammonia. I have also noticed that the area around homes that have well water has the same distinct odor. The water in my master bath sink has the same odor... sort of like ammonia. When you wash your hands or face, they will have that smell. Any ideas what it could be and what I might be able to do to remedy it? Sometimes the odor is more pungent than others. Any idea, greatly appreciated.
2007-09-08 04:23:09 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You could have chlorine odors or a sulfur smell.... The sulfur smell I am assuming you would have described as a rotten egg odor. The chlorine is probably more like a pool. Neither is harmful, but both are unpleasant to taste...
What I would do is find out if your water district has a water quality report. In that, they should mention what their water quality results are and what they should be under. I live in California, so we have some slightly stricter rules, but the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.gov) is in charge of coming up with standards that water quality constituents cannot exceed.... California has a nice compilation of water quality goals that tells you the information of standards in micrograms/liter. Anywho, here is that link and check out the tables
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley/available_documents/wq_goals/index.html
Anywho, there is so much I could tell you, but essentially talk to your water district/company and they should be able to provide more information. I hope I didn't overload you!
Note: I just looked this up, looks like if this is your water district, you can read this blurb http://charmeck.org/Departments/Utilities/H2O+Help/WaterQuality.htm
The reason you'd let the water sit is that it allows the chlorine to gas out. Love the blurb about the PVC pipes. Holy cow!
2007-09-11 17:58:22 · answer #1 · answered by Miss Vida 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably hydrogen sulfide, iron and or hardness causing your problems. You can buy filters and softeners to treat your water.
While unpleasant it will not hurt you. All those things occur naturally in the groundwater.
2007-09-08 12:41:45 · answer #2 · answered by mike b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its sulfur, wont hurt you , in fact its good for you,
get a charcoal filter,
2007-09-08 11:41:50 · answer #3 · answered by William B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋