We have a septic tank and a smell like sewer gas is coming from the toilet in our powder room. We had the septic pumped less than a year ago. What could be the odor coming from?

How are you able to tell that the odor is coming from the toilet and not some where else?

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

How are you able to tell that the odor is coming from the toilet and not some where else?

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It is in our powder room, so there is no shower. When I lift the lid the smell of what appears to be "sewer gas" is apparent coming from the toilet bowl. We have had septic systems for the last 30 years, so I know the smell. It once came from our back yard before we had to re-dig the drainage field.
Thanks for your help.

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Originally Posted by pamjulyan

It is in our powder room, so there is no shower. When I lift the lid the smell of what appears to be "sewer gas" is apparent coming from the toilet bowl. We have had septic systems for the last 30 years, so I know the smell. It once came from our back yard before we had to re-dig the drainage field.
Thanks for your help.

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Also, I saw some posts suggesting that bleach be poured into the toilet, but I'm concerned that that is bad for the septic tank.

Unless there is a blockage and the sewer gas in venting back through the bowl, the smell is probably from the wax ring that is leaking or disintegrating. It won't come from the water.

Remove the toilet, replace the wax ring and reset the toilet.