Most people notice it right away. You turn on the tap, and something smells… off. Maybe it’s like rotten eggs. Maybe it’s musty. Or maybe it’s something chemical — like a swimming pool. Whatever it is, one thing’s for sure: clean water shouldn’t smell like that. So what’s actually going on?

We get this question a lot in Sacramento. And here’s the honest truth: weird water smells usually mean something real is happening in your plumbing system. Sometimes it’s harmless. Sometimes it’s not. But ignoring it rarely helps.

Rotten egg smell? That’s usually sulfur — and it comes from your water heater.

The classic “rotten egg” odor comes from hydrogen sulfide gas. It’s caused by naturally occurring bacteria reacting with the anode rod inside your tank-style water heater. We see this most often in older heaters that haven’t been flushed in years.

But it’s not always the water heater. If the smell comes from cold water or only from one tap, it could be bacteria living inside the faucet, the pipes, or even the aerator. We’ve had jobs where the fix was as simple as removing a showerhead and disinfecting it. Other times, we’ve replaced old heaters or filters entirely.

Chemical or bleachy smell? It’s not just the city water.

Sometimes, Sacramento water can smell strongly chlorinated after a system flush. But if your water smells like pool water all the time — and your neighbors aren’t noticing it — it might be something in your home.

Old filter cartridges, degrading rubber hoses, or even certain plastics can leach smells into the water.
In those cases, upgrading to a modern water filter and softening system can clear out both the odors and the source.

Golden Valley Plumbing provides water quality inspections, odor troubleshooting, and filtration solutions across Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, Rocklin, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, and surrounding areas. Whether it’s a sulfur smell or musty odor, we’ll find the source and fix it fast.

Q: Why does my tap water smell like rotten eggs?
A: That sulfur or “rotten egg” smell often comes from hydrogen sulfide gas, which can form in well systems or from bacteria in the water heater.

Q: Is smelly water dangerous to drink?
A: Most smells aren’t dangerous, but they’re often signs of underlying water quality issues that should be inspected by a professional.

Q: Can my water heater cause water to smell bad?
A: Yes. Sediment buildup or bacterial growth in the tank can cause unpleasant odors, especially with infrequent hot water use.

Q: What can I do to fix the water smell?
A: It depends on the source. Solutions may include flushing your water heater, treating well water, or installing a filtration system.