I have had an ongoing problem with cold water rotten egg smell. Several years ago, I started to notice a rotten egg smell coming from the main bathroom cold water only. I had a man a water softening company come out to test for sulfur which he said there was no sulfur present and was likely bacteria (which freaks me out!). This makes sense since we didn't smell it anywhere else. So my husband and I treated the well with 5 gallons of bleach, turned on all the faucets until we could smell bleach then let it sit over a weekend we were gone before flushing it out. This fixed the problem for about 9 months before it returned so we did it again - this time I tried flushing most of the water outside since we have a septic and it was advised that bleach in the septic was not a good thing since it kills the good bacteria. Anyway, it came back again. I let the problem go since I didn't know what to do and just avoided using the cold water in that bathroom. However, now the smell is now in the downstairs bathroom and outside faucets too. Have not noticed the smell in any of the hot water or the kitchen sink. I'm assuming this is because we use the kitchen sink more often and the hot water heater kills any existing bacteria. I had one person suggest that bacteria was coming in through a faulty faucet. We have on spigot outside that is broken - could this be the problem? For awhile I was afraid our well water was contaminated but since I don't smell it in the kitchen sink, I don't think this is the case.
I read an earlier post on this site that talked about removing faucet cartridges but I'm not sure what that is (I can Google it to see if I figure it out). I would just like a solution that cures the problem without having to dump a bunch of bleach into the septic and something that will hopefully cure the problem for good. It is very disconcerting to think that your water is contaminated. I'm embarrassed to have guests over.

WARNING SIGNS OF DRAINFIELD FAILURE OTHER PROBLEMS

Leaks directly from the septic tank may be less apparent than failed drainfields but can also lead to problems. If
Tank leakage causes the level of the scum layer to drop below the level of outlet structure, excessive scum
Discharges can cause failure of the drainfield. In the extreme case, the sludge layer in the bottom of the tank will
Dry out and compact, and normal tank cleaning practices will not remove it. Another problem occurs when the tank
Is not watertight and allows rain water to seep into the tank. This causes an overloading of the tank and can lead to
A clogged drainfield by the rain water pushing the solids into the drainfield pipe.
1. Low spots in the area above or near the drainfield.
2. Obnoxious odors ranging from a musty odor to a rotten egg odor to raw sewage odor.
3. The grass is much greener and lush above or near the drainfield.
4. Soggy grass in the area above or near the drainfield during dry periods.
5. Gurgling sounds in the plumbing.
6. Sluggish flow when flushing the toilet.
7. Backup of sewage in house plumbing.


WHO DO I CALL FOR HELP IF I HAVE A PROBLEM?

If you need an inspection or repairs to an existing septic tank system, a state registered septic tank contractor or a
State certified plumber should be called. The Broward County Public Health Unit maintains lists of State registered
Contractors and requires permits for all repairs and installations.


http://www.broward.org/environment/pub_water_5.pdf


Sounds to me like its time to call in a professional hon.

Hi Jennie,
I don't understand your answer. Dewmushie's complaining about her well and you focus on the septic tank and drainfield. Have I missed something?

Dewmushie, I have a link I'd like you to check out; http://www.professionalhome.com/wellart.html
Good luck, Tom

You are probably not going to accept this as logical, but it is easy enough to check out. I think you have a ruptured bladder tank on you well. I assume that you have a bladder tank.

With the pump on, let all the air out of the tank at the schrader valve. If you get any water out of that valve your bladder is leaking or ruptured. The inside of some bladder tanks are coated with materials that create an odor in the water if ruptured.

To re-pressurize your tank, turn pump off and drain all the water from the tank. Pressurize the tank to 2 pounds less than the cut in pressure of the pump.

I have no logical explanation as to why you only notice this odor in the bathroom other than that being a smaller room odors would be more noticeable.

My mistake speedball, I saw that he hadn't gotten a response in a long time, so I did some research for him. But I researched the wrong part of his post. :o just wanted to help. But I guess it was a good thing, as it brought his post to your attention.

No problem Jennie.
OK Harold!
Now you can explain to me why a faulty bladder tank would cause a rotten egg smell in some faucets and not in others.
Nah! I think the problem's bacteria and it's local, meaning it's in the house system.
The bad part is that it seems to be spreading.
Dewmushi, Have you considered flushing out the house system? Have you checked out the link I gave you? Let me know, Tom

As I said, I don't have a good explanation for it being in the bath only other than a small room and usually not ventilated very well. Don't know but I don't think that bleach is good for bladders. I have to ask the same question of you. If it is bacteria in the entire system, why odor in bath only?

I don't think it's got into the entire system yet but it seems to b e advancing,Unless they take action it will eventually envelope the entire system. A great start would be to back flush the house system with chlorine. As for the bladder I don't think it's harmed but it's easily checked. We're not talking full strength bleach anyhow. Regards, tom

I apologize for not getting back sooner and appreciate everyone's response. My husband and I checked out the website Tom suggested and we are planning to flush the system. We have done this in the past but I don't think we did the outside faucets too. In the past we only concentrated on the sink faucets. This time we are going to do all faucets, toilets, tubs, etc.

The faulty septic system is not out of the question. We have only had the septic tank pumped once in the five years since we moved here and that was because I was very inisitent that it needed to be done. I was smelling sewage outside after doing several loads of laundry at a time. Since there are no laws on pumping septic tanks where we live. My husband had to dig up the septic tank cover (which took some time figuring out where it was). Anyway, what they found was minimal sludge at the bottom (a good thing I guess) but a large amount of water). The guy that was pumping out the septic tank only removed the sludge but not the water - much to my dissatisfaction). Our septic tank sits at a very low lying area and I'm sure it does get overwhelmed with water - especially in the spring and winter. Another interesting thing has occurred - last week my husband discovered a hole in the lawn near the septic that has a pvc pipe that comes to the surface. You can smell sewage from it if you get down on your knees but neither one of us knows what this pipe is for and why it is there. It apparently has been covered with dirt but is now uncovered.

That PVC pipe sounds like a cleanout. We are required to install one at every bend and at 75 foot intervals. Regards, Tom

Do we need to put a cover over it?

Yes! The open pipe should have a clean out cover (see image) secured by a shielded coupling,(see image). Good luck, Tom

I had the same problem, this is the solution I just used. I called a plumber told him I wanted to run two things through my homes water pipes. First we ran 100% vinegar in all pipes let it sit for 15 minutes, it foamed and dissolved all mineral deposits. Then we did the same thing but with 100% clorox bleach again let it stand in pipes for 15 minutes, this was to kill any bacteria that was in pipes. You should have seen the amount of green and brown residue that came out of all faucets. After we ran cold water for 10-15 minutes to clean all solutions out of pipes. It appears to have worked great. 20.00 in vinegar and Clorox, and 2 hours plumber labor. I am now a happy camper.