Why Does My Tulsa Tap Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

The question is, will a rotten egg smell, be harmful to my health and home. It can be. 

Hydrogen sulfide, that rotten egg odor is a product of sulfur bacteria in groundwater using iron and sulfur as energy to chemically change sulfates to gas, which is flammable and poisonous at high concentrations. 

The EPA standards for water fall into two categories: Primary and Secondary standards.

Primary standards are based on health considerations and secondary are based on taste, color, odor, corrosively, foaming, and staining properties. Sulfate is classified under secondary standards.

If your water smells like rotten eggs, sulfur is likely the culprit—and Culligan has the solution. Our water treatment systems, including specialized filters and whole-home solutions, are designed to target hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur-related compounds that cause unpleasant odors and taste. With free water testing and customized treatment plans tailored for Tulsa’s unique water supply, Culligan helps eliminate sulfur issues at the source—restoring fresh, clean water to every faucet in your home.

Aside from the smell and taste being an issue, water containing an excess in sulfur can cause issues with several household items, infrastructure, and daily tasks:

Shortened Lifespan of Household Items: Sulfur can erode household appliances, fixtures, and pipes made of copper, brass, iron and steel, leading to shorter lifespans for these household items.

Staining: Sulfur may cause black and brown staining of household fixtures such as sinks, bathtubs, and toilets. Sulfur can also stain laundry.

Tarnish: If sulfur is present in your water, it can cause tarnishing and discoloration to silver, copper, and brass silverware.

Metallic Taste: Sulfur is known to give drinking water a metallic taste which can also be noticeable when the water is used for cooking.

Smelly Water: When hydrogen sulfide is present in water, it can produce a smell that is commonly compared to ‘rotten eggs.’ The smell can make the water unpleasant for everyday tasks such as cleaning, bathing, cooking, and consuming.

Your first order of business is to find the source — in your drain, or in your water. Take a glass of water from the drain area the smell is originating from and take a glass of water from another faucet in your home.

If both glasses of water contain a rotten egg smell, the problem is your water, which could come from several other issues – water heater, well, or municipal. If only one glass has the unpleasant odor, it is most likely that specific drain.

If the smell is present only when running cold water, it is likely due to sulfate-reducing bacteria. These bacteria in your pipes consume sulfate and produce hydrogen sulfide, which causes the odor.

If the smell occurs only with hot water, the water heater is probably to blame. When the anode in the tank starts to deteriorate, it can release a sulfur-like or rotten egg smell into the hot water.

If the smell is noticeable regardless of the water temperature, the issue is with your water source. Whether your water comes from a well or a municipal supply, hydrogen sulfide is entering your home.

If the smell is coming from your drain, find the specific drain and pour ½ cup of bleach down the drain to disinfect it. If you are weary of pouring bleach into your drain system, or do not have bleach on hand, dump ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar in your drain. This should be sufficient to disinfect that specific drainpipe.

In most cases, hydrogen sulfide levels are low and fall under non-enforceable guidelines of the EPA’s secondary standards, which focus on odor, taste, and color, not adverse health effects. However, higher-than-recommended concentrations or chronic exposure could lead to potential health risks such as abdominal pain, muscle weakness, or neurological impairments, particularly for pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems.

Concerns about arsenic concentrations, levels of radium, and exposure to hexavalent chromium have also prompted stricter oversight in federal drinking water standards and EWG guidelines. The EPA has set a legal limit and ppb health guideline for many water contaminants, including arsenic levels, to ensure safe drinking water across all municipal water systems.

If you’ve tried flushing your water tank, cleaning your water heater, or switching to bottled water without success, schedule a free test. Whether you’re in a suburban zip code near theme parks or a coastal region like Redington Beach, understanding your drinking water quality is critical. Water utilities and public water systems should uphold enforceable limits, but private well owners and those using septic systems should stay especially vigilant.

Don’t let smelly water be an ever-present barrier to enjoying your home. Culligan’s house water filters and sulfur filters are designed to tackle hydrogen sulfide gas levels up to 6–8 ppm, restoring quality water for all your daily needs — whether that’s a glass of water, a shower, or cooking dinner.

There are a few options to rid your home of smelly water and prevent it from returning.

How do you know which system is best for you? Schedule a free water analysis with our water experts. Our team will be able to determine any issues your water may be facing and suggest the best product(s) for your needs.