8 Reasons Your Water Stinks

Water that stinks isn’t just a nuisance—it can be a real head-scratcher. As a dad and a bit of a handyman around the house, I’ve definitely had my fair share of “What is that smell?” moments when turning on the tap.

Trust me, nothing speeds up your learning about home maintenance quite like a stinky water problem when you’re trying to make dinner or fill up the kiddo’s bath.

So, after plenty of sniff tests and diving into research, I’ve found some common culprits behind that funky scent in our faucets. Whether it’s a whiff of sulfur, a hint of metal, or that unmistakable smell of chlorine, I’m here to share what I’ve learned about why your water might stink and how you can fix it.

Smells Like: Sewage

Dealing with a sewage smell around your sink is no joke. Often, it’s just decaying bits in the drain, not a sign of contaminated water. If it’s just your drain being a drama queen, try the old baking soda and vinegar trick. Toss half a cup of each down the drain, let the fizz do its thing for about 15 minutes, and then chase it with hot water. This should clear up that stench in no time.

But if your tap water itself smells like a sewer, you might have something decaying in your well’s pressure tank or even contamination issues. It’s a bit more of a project, but draining and flushing your pressure tank, and maybe even a shock chlorination, can really turn things around.

Smells Like: Metal

Metallic-smelling water can hit you like a toolbox—nothing quite ruins a glass of water like a hefty hint of metal. If your taps are pouring out something that tastes like you’ve been licking pennies, it’s likely your aging pipes dissolving bits of manganese, zinc, iron, or copper into your H2O. For a quick fix, a reverse osmosis filter or a water softener can be a game changer, keeping those metallic tastes at bay without the hefty price tag of new plumbing.

And if it’s really about tweaking your water’s pH levels, a remineralizing filter right at your kitchen sink should do the trick, making your water more palatable.

Smells Like: Gas

Catching a whiff of gas in your water? Stop right there—this is one smell you shouldn’t ignore. It could signal a serious contamination, like a fuel tank leak seeping into your water supply.

First things first: don’t use the water. Check for signs of a spill around your property, and no matter what, get in touch with your local water authority pronto. If you’re living near factories or farms, these places could be the culprits, especially with accidental spills or agricultural runoff sneaking into your system.

For those on well water, it’s critical to get a pro on board to hunt down the source of the gas smell, devise a plan to fix it, and ensure your water is safe again.

Smells Like: Fish

Nobody likes their water smelling like yesterday’s seafood dinner. If you’re catching a whiff of something fishy, it might be metals like barium or cadmium hitching a ride in your pipes. These sneaky intruders can drift into your system from nearby mineral ores or even industrial runoff, turning your tap water into a fish market.

The best fix? A reverse osmosis system can clear out those unwanted metallic guests and ditch the fishy odor.

And if ammonia’s mixing with chlorine to form chloramine, adding a layer of granular activated carbon filtration to your arsenal will help keep your water tasting clean and fresh.

Smells Like: Wet Dog

It’s one thing for your pooch to come in smelling like he rolled in a puddle, but it’s a whole other issue when your tap does the same. If your water has that wet dog scent, you might be dealing with a high metal count—think lead, copper, or iron. These culprits can all leave your water smelling less than fresh. Installing a targeted water filtration system can usually take care of these metallic minglers, leaving your water clean and clear.

And for those dealing with bacterial buildups, like the infamous iron bacteria, a good shock chlorination or a dedicated water purifier can help beat the bacteria and banish that wet dog smell for good.

Smells Like: Musty

That musty smell coming from your tap? It’s probably not a mystery novel plot, just a sign there’s a bit too much iron hanging around in your pipes. Iron plus oxygen can lead to iron bacteria—harmless but definitely clingy, leaving behind a slimy residue that can cause that earthy odor. This kind of bacteria thrives on iron and, when it dies, leaves your water smelling like an old basement.

If algae are the culprits, especially after a bloom in your well or local reservoir, it’s time to halt usage and get that system disinfected. Public supplies usually keep an eye on this, but nothing’s perfect. Always better to play it safe and check in with your water authority if things seem off.

Smells Like: Sulfur

If there’s a whiff of rotten eggs every time you run the tap, you’re likely dealing with bacterial growth somewhere in your plumbing. This stink is usually because of sulfur-producing bacteria lounging in your drains or water heater. These microbes love hanging out in damp spots, especially where there’s a bit of organic matter to munch on.

Clearing this up might mean disinfecting drains or dealing with your water heater settings, or even replacing parts like the anode rod to keep bacteria at bay.

And if the smell is coming from both hot and cold water, it’s wise to get a professional to check for issues like well contamination or leaks that could be drawing in bacteria.

Smells Like: Chlorine

Chlorine is a common player in public water systems, keeping our water clean but sometimes leaving a pool-like scent behind. If your water has a bit of that chlorine smell, it’s generally not a big deal—it should air out after a few moments.

However, if the scent sticks around or the levels seem unusually high (think above 2 ppm), it’s a good idea to call up your water authority just to make sure everything’s within safe limits.

For those with well systems using shock chlorination, remember, that chlorine smell should fade after a thorough flush. Just run your outside taps until the smell clears up.

If it persists, it might be time to bring in a professional to check it out.