Water test, professional recommendation on how best to treat. Start there.

Two of the wells here on the ranch have good water. A third had high sulfur content. Prior owner’s fix was to fill from the side near the top of the tank, then fall down a “stair step” setup around the side of the tank. Poor man’s aerator I guess, but it apparently worked well enough for years. We get enough water out of the other two wells that we just stopped using it. Just as well as the casing was pretty well done after 50 some years.

Temporary fix is to run all the hot water out until cold starts running. Turn the breaker to water heater off and let the water keep running for 5 minutes. Turn the water off then turn the water heater breaker back on and wait 15 minutes for water to heat up and then run a faucet till you have hot and hopefully non stinking water. I go in lots of homes that get little use and probably did this 25 times and 9 times out of 10 it helps

I have the same problem in FL on city water.

I had the house a week and put in a whole house water filter, it is based on activated charcoal.

Not being their full time, the first day back the water takes a day to get filtered out.

Smells bad for 24 and then it is ok.

Still only drink filtered water but it is ok to shower and wash dishes with.

My well water had the rotten egg smell to, water expert said it was from high level of manganese. A large iron filter did the trick. Been 4 yrs and all is good

My old boss used to drop a chlorine tablets for pools into his well when it would get smelly. Took care of the problem for months. I’ve no idea if it’s safe or not but he’s still alive.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
My old boss used to drop a chlorine tablets for pools into his well when it would get smelly. Took care of the problem for months. I’ve no idea if it’s safe or not but he’s still alive.

Here’s a short read on shocking your well.
https://waterfilterguru.com/how-to-shock-a-well/

THANKS for all the info guys!!
I do believe that it is the water heater and will proceed from here.
THANKS again!

Could be the water is fine and just smells. Could be something wrong. Only a good test will tell you. May just have to buy a filter system.

My grandparents had well water that tasted bad - it was healthy enough and no real issues, just bad taste. They were used to it, but visitors had to suffer.

Went to a lake cabin once that had been unused for months. Turned on the water and the whole place stank like sulfur. We couldn't even stay one night.

DLC, glad you have a probable solution.

My grandparents' well had a strong sulfur smell. When tested, it had a high mineral content but was said to be safe to drink. When we built our house nearby, we shared the well and lived with it for years until Dad finally added a chlorinator that toned it down but never got rid of it entirely. A new system in the mid-to-late 90s knocked it out entirely. If the water heater isn't the issue, a good water expert should be able to find a good solution for you.