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Why Does My Water Smell Like Sewage? (Quick Answers)

Having trouble getting rid of sewage smells from your water isn’t unusual. There are a lot of people who face this problem, and it is difficult to identify the cause.  As well as being unpleasant, this smell is a sign that your water is not safe. 

Here are the reasons why your water smells like sewage.

Water smell like sewage

A high level of bacteria and pollutants may cause your water to smell like sewage. Water from a municipal source may cause this problem. There are several causes of sewage smells in water, including high levels of bacteria, poorly treated water, faulty water filters, and leaky pipes.

Don’t panic if you notice an unusual or persistent sewer-like scent in your water. Here are some steps you can take to resolve the problem. There are many reasons why your water might smell like sewage. The following are some common reasons why water smells like sewage.

High levels of bacteria:

Your water may contain high levels of bacteria if it comes from a municipal source (like a street or park). Agricultural wastewater can contaminate water, or a malfunctioning water treatment plant can cause it.

Pollution from industrial sources:

As pesticides and other pollutants are released into the air, they eventually find their way into rivers and lakes. Your water may contain high levels of pollution if it comes from an industrial source (like a factory or a power plant).

Poorly treated water:

Water that comes from a municipal source (such as a street or park) may not have been properly treated. When the wastewater treatment plant does not work correctly, or when bacteria levels are high, this can happen.

Hydrogen sulfide in your water source:

There is a possibility that your water filter is removing hydrogen sulfide (a gas that smells like sewage) from your water. Hydrogen sulfide can cause water to smell like sewage if the level is high. A low level of hydrogen sulfide, however, might not cause the water to smell.

Chlorine bleach:

The chlorine bleach in chlorine bleach can cause your water to smell like sewage if you use it to disinfect it. As well as cleaning bacteria present in the water, chlorination can destroy viruses as well. 

When it comes to removing other odors, like garlic or onions, chlorine bleach is not as effective.

Pipe leakage:

You may have sewage-smelling water coming from your pipes if you leak them. Furthermore, if the water is warm, fecal matter and other microbial contaminants may be present.

faulty water filter:

The water filter may be removing contaminants like bacteria and pollutants from your water if it is not working properly. Furthermore, if your water filter is old or damaged, the filter may not be able to remove all the toxins present in your water if the filter is old or damaged.

Leaky sink or toilet:

Several different kinds of water may be entering your house through your water lines if you have a leaky sink or toilet. You can ensure that the water supply in your house is not contaminated with bacteria and other contaminants when this happens.

Is water that smells of sewage safe to drink?

Drinking water that smells of sewage is unsafe. There is a possibility that this water may contain high levels of bacteria and other contaminants, which can cause sickness. Fecal matter and/or other microbial contaminants may also be present in the water. 

Additionally, hydrogen sulfide may be present in the water, which can give the water a sewage-like smell.

There is no evidence that sewage-smelling water is safe to drink. There is a good chance that the odor is caused by contaminants in the water, and it’s best to avoid drinking it unless you know for sure what’s causing it. 

Pregnant women and people with bladder infections should also avoid drinking the water because it might contain fecal matter and other microbial contaminants. 

As a final point, drinking this type of water may make you sick since it may contain hydrogen sulfide, which smells like sewage.

How do you get rid of sewer smell in water?

When it comes to getting rid of sewer smell in water, no one silver bullet works for everyone. The following are some tips that you may want to try:

Running your sink full blow up for a minute:

You should first run your sink at full blow up for a minute to remove any water and dislodge any contaminants if there is a leak in your system.

Filling up your tub or shower with hot water and soap:

Filling your bathtub or shower with hot water and dishwashing soap can help remove odors and bacteria. Also, pouring two cups of white vinegar down the drain after bathing may help reduce the smell in your home’s groundwater.

Using a deodorizer:

When using a deodorizer to get rid of sewer smell in water, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Water scented with sewage can be damaged by some deodorizers, while others may not work as well.

Clean water filters:

Water filters can be helpful when it comes to removing contaminants and odors from your water supply. The most important thing to keep in mind, however, is that a water filter will not be able to work if the plumbing system has already been damaged.

Check Pipe leakage:

Water that smells like sewer may be a sign of pipe leakage. Check for leaks by running the sink full blow up to see if that helps eliminate the odor. Check for other signs of leaks, such as wet spots on walls or ceilings or strange sounds coming from the pipes, if none are apparent.

Check for Leaky sink or toilet:

Try to identify the source of the leak if you suspect you have a leaky sink or toilet. It is sometimes possible to fix a leaky faucet without replacing the entire fixture. You may want to consider replacing your sink or toilet if you cannot find the leak’s source.

Is smelling sewage from these sources of water common?

It is rare for water sources to smell like sewers. The odor may also occur if there is a leak in the pipes or if the plumbing system is damaged. Listed below are some common water sources that may smell like sewage.

Well water:

Well water can smell like sewer gas, especially if it’s located near a sewage treatment plant. The odor is caused by methane gas seeping into your water supply from the treatment plant. The local municipality should be contacted if you experience this smell.

Tap water:

Depending on the municipality where the water was sourced, everyone’s water smells differently. It is not common for tap water to smell like sewage. 

Government has water treatment plants in place that filter out a lot of the pollutants and toxins that can cause unpleasant odors.

Toilet water:

It is very common for toilet water to smell like sewage, which is very unpleasant. If your toilet is leaking, you may notice that there is an unpleasant odor coming from the drains as a result of the leak. 

Bacteria usually cause this smell as they grow in the sewer water that has seeped into the pipes connected to your toilet and is growing in there. If you notice this smell and it is getting worse, you may want to consider repairing the leak before replacing your toilet just in case.

Bath water:

It is not unusual for bath water to smell like sewage in most cases. 

You may, however, experience an unpleasant odor near your bathtub or in your bathroom if your home has a clogged sewage line or if there is damage to your plumbing system due to a backed-up sewage line.

Washer water:

Usually, washer water does not smell like sewage. In the case of a defective washing machine, wastewater (including sewer gas) can seep into the machine and be released into the wash cycle. When you try to load your laundry, you will notice this odor.

Final Thoughts 

Lastly, water may have a sewage odor as a result of bacteria, poor water treatment, faulty water filters, and leaky pipes. The water in a well, washer, bath, tap, and well does not typically smell as bad as this. Fix plumbing leaks before they cause more serious problems.