WATERCHECK
Smell guide
Water smell guide
Rotten egg / sulfur

A rotten-egg or sulfur smell is one of the most common water complaints there is, and it's almost always about where the water has been sitting, not something added to it.

How this check worksSources checked Aug 2026

Causes and what people typically do are based on published guidance from the EPA and state drinking-water programs, not guesses. The zip lookup pulls from EPA's public violation records (SDWIS) and a utility's own water quality report, hand-checked utility by utility rather than scraped.

This tool provides general information based on published EPA and utility data, and common causes reported by water quality professionals. It is not a substitute for laboratory water testing, a licensed plumber's assessment, or guidance from your water utility or local health department. WaterCheck does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided and is not liable for decisions made based on it.

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