Why does my water smell after heavy rain?

Author: Dr. Olin Walsh PhD  |  Last update: Saturday, April 12, 2025

Anything that changes what layers of rock your water travels through can alter the amount of sulfur in it. Drought causes the water table to drop, while heavy rains cause it to rise. Undetected earth tremors cause cracks in the rock, exposing new sulfur deposits or closing up old ones.

Why does my water stink after it rains?

Raining often causes atmospheric pressure changes, which can lead to the air becoming heavy. As such, the methane gases typically found in the septic tank don't flow through the vent as they normally would. Instead, they stay low to the ground, causing a foul smell similar to rotten eggs.

How to get rid of rain water smell?

The solution is simple: if the water starts to smell, drain it, remove the lid and give it a light scrub with a brush. Once clean, you put it back under the downspout. Voila! You are now ready for the next rain shower.

How do I fix smelly tap water?

Disinfecting, cleaning and flushing the drain should eliminate the odor. The reservoir/pressure tank may also be the source of such an odor. Cleaning and maintaining the reservoir/ pressure tank periodically can prevent bacteria from growing to levels that cause odor in the water.

Is it okay to drink water that smells like sulfur?

If your water smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, not only will it be too pungent to enjoy, it's recommended you don't drink it. If your water smells like sulfur, it could be because of the presence of sulfur bacteria or hydrogen sulfide.

What Causes the Smell After Rain?

What is the best way to get rid of sulfur smell in water?

Chlorination can kill sulfur bacteria. If all bacteria are not destroyed by chlorination, the problem may return within a few weeks. Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for several hours. This will destroy the sulfur bacteria.

Why does my pee smell bad even though I drink a lot of water?

Urine might have an ammonia smell due to eating certain foods, a urinary tract infection, a liver or kidney problem, or dehydration. Urine is the body's liquid waste made by the kidneys, which filter toxins out of the blood. Urine primarily contains water, salt, urea, and uric acid.

What is the cheapest way to remove sulfur from well water?

The Cheapest Solution: Degassing the Water

Simply pour the water into a glass and let it sit for 24 hours. The air will oxidize the sulphur out of the water and then the smell will be gone. Now, obviously, if you want more than a glass or two of water a day, you're going to want a whole-house solution.

Is it safe to shower in water that smells like sulfur?

Bathing and showering: While sulfur water won't harm your skin, the odour can linger on your body and hair, making you feel less clean. The unpleasant smell can also make bathing a less enjoyable experience. Washing clothes: Sulfur water can leave yellow stains on laundry and make clothes smell unpleasant.

How long does it take for smelly water to go away?

Turn all faucets inside and outside the home fully open. Let the water run for 10 minutes, then turn off the water. This will flush out all the pipes in the home.

Why do my drains smell after heavy rain?

This odor is often caused by sewer gases being pushed back into the home due to changes in air pressure during heavy rainfall.

What causes the smell after rain?

It is caused by the water from the rain, along with certain compounds like ozone, geosmin, and plant oils. and in soil. When it rains, these compounds are released into the air to add to the earthy smell of petrichor. Stearic acid and palmitic acid are common plant oils.

How do you get rid of wet water smell?

Vinegar: Put white vinegar in bowls and place the bowls throughout the room. The vinegar will remove the odor within a couple of days. Cat Litter: Put clean cat litter in small, open containers and place the containers around the room. Make sure you change the cat litter for better deodorization.

Why does my bathroom smell bad after heavy rain?

Believe it or not, rain can significantly affect plumbing and septic systems, and that's why it can be more common for you to smell a foul odour after heavy rain. If this happens regularly, you may need to consider a professional plumber or call for a septic tank service to diagnose the problem right away.

Why does my water smell bad from only one faucet?

An odor in one faucet in the house can usually be remedied by flushing the offending faucet. Other possible causes are: Water softener (if applicable) malfunctioning or in need of service. Bacterial growth in a drain, or a dried out drain.

How to remove hydrogen sulfide from water?

Very small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can be removed from water with activated carbon filters (Fig. 1). Activated carbon is used as a granular form in tank-type filters and as finely divided powder in a cartridge. The hydrogen sulfide is adsorbed onto the surface of the carbon particles.

How to fix smelly water?

Use 3 pints of chlorine bleach for every 100 gallons. But you may want to double this amount if you have a really bad odor problem. The odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide, which tends to neutralize chlorine. Fill the water tank, and be sure it's pressurized.

Why does my well water smell like sulfur after heavy rain?

Anything that changes what layers of rock your water travels through can alter the amount of sulfur in it. Drought causes the water table to drop, while heavy rains cause it to rise. Undetected earth tremors cause cracks in the rock, exposing new sulfur deposits or closing up old ones.

How do I get rid of the smell in my water pipes?

The best way to eliminate the odor is to purge your plumbing system by completely emptying your hot water heater. To accomplish this, turn on the hot water at all faucets in your home, including bath and shower faucets.

Is there a water filter that removes sulfur smell?

The Sulfur Eliminator Iron Buster Replacement Well Water Filter, Designed For Sulfur Eliminator Deluxe, Can be Used with Any Standard Whole House Canister System, Specialized Iron & Sediment Filter.

Will bleach get rid of sulfur smell in well water?

The chlorine in the bleach chemically reacts with (oxi- dizes) the hydrogen sulfide eliminating the "rotten egg" odor. Chlorine bleach also reacts with iron or manganese, and disinfects water supplies.

What neutralizes the smell of sulphur?

Vinegar is also known for its deodorising property. It is a commonly used home remedy. If you want to get rid of sulphur tang from your clothes, then you can soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water. And if some area of your house smells, then you can spurt vinegar there.

When I open my legs, it smells like urine.?

Protein breaks down into amino acids, which the body converts into ammonia. The body then releases this ammonia through urine and sweat, which may produce an odor. Dehydration can also make the sweat smell like ammonia. This is because the body needs water to get rid of ammonia through sweat.

What color is diabetic pee?

If you urinate often, and your pee is very light-colored or even clear, it could be a sign of diabetes.

Why does my husband's sperm smell bad?

Very strong smell: Bacteria and other germs can change the way semen smells. If semen has a foul and overpowering odor or gets worse with time, it may be a sign of an infection or sexually transmitted disease.

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