Can your lines cause smelly water?

[TimmyB]

A couple of weeks ago, I posted that I thought we had a problem with the toilet releasing odors when flushed. Then, we noticed when we ran water in the sinks the same odor. I have checked the air-admittance valves and those seem fine.

After experimenting and eliminating possibilities, I have realized it's simply the water. We are on campground (well) water 100% of the time. If I fill the toilet with water without letting it flush, the smell is there. If I run water into the sink while it's plugged, the smell is there. If I run water into a bowl, it's there. If I go out outside to the tap and run water directly into a bucket, the smell is NOT THERE! I have changed the water filter cartridge but that hasn't helped.

Once I realized that the water was the culprit and not the tanks, I remembered that a few weeks back, I had some water left over in my storage tank from when we left Florida. I should've just dumped that but instead, I used it until the tank ran out, then switched back over to well water.

My question is, could there have been something in that water that contaminated my interior plumbing and caused this odor to be ongoing, even after hundreds of gallons running through it? I know how to clean the system with bleach but wanted to hear if anyone else has ever had this problem simply from one bad batch of water going through their lines. If it helps, we NEVER drink the water; we only use it for external purposes like showering, washing dishes, and toilets.

[egwilly]

You could have introduced some bacteria from Florida in the water. Especially if the odor resembles sulfur. How long was the water in the tank?

Best thing to do would be to sanitize the fresh water system completely. Remove all of the old water and flush it thru all the pipes and faucets. I let it sit overnight to be sure all the bacteria have been wiped out.

[Gary RVRoamer]

There is a microbe that thrives in the water heater tank and gives a "rotten egg" sort of smell. It's not harmful, but it IS unpleasant. Once its been around awhile, it gets into the rest of the lines and enough survives to make a bit of odor in the cold lines too. You have to sanitize the entire system to get rid of it completely.

[Agesilaus]

You don't need a bacterial culprit some water is just smelly, locals will usually call it 'sulfur water' and the odor is from Hydrogen Sulfide. I suggest a trip to the cg bathroom, plug a sink up and run water into the sink...smells the same?



The low concentration of hydrogen sulfide is not harmful. I can be removed but your average campground owner isn't going to foot the bill to do the aeration.


And any water supply in Florida that serves the public, like a campground, is stringently monitored on a frequent basis by the FDEP--Florida Dept of Environmental Protection, incidentally the same dept that runs the state parks. And any contamination of one of thsoe sources would be caught fixed ASAP or that source would be shut down. If the campground uses city water then the monitoring is even tougher (larger number of people served), for example the periodically monitor for 126 organic pollutants, they continuously look for bacteria and viruses. The fines are large and the FDEP inspectors have their sense of humor removed when they are hired.


If it sounds like I had professional knowledge of the FDEP that would be correct. We had a shelf of books 4 feet across that had their regulations in it and those were only the ones that pertained to our industry. We had a full time engineer monitoring all this.



Other states have similar regulatory agencies and over all of them is the USEPA which is breathing down all their necks.

[twogypsies]

The hot water heater can cause a rotten egg smell.

[TimmyB]

OK, thanks everyone! Sanitize, it is!!! Now, to find a convenient time when I can let it sit for 12 hours.

[Ted Lambert]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

The hot water heater can cause a rotten egg smell.

Yes if on well water,but all you have to do is remove the anoroid and the sulphur smell is gone.
Lived 18 years on an acreage with well water, removed the anoroid never had a problem.
I replaced one water tank in 10 years only because I thought it was time.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Ted Lambert

Yes if on well water,but all you have to do is remove the anoroid and the sulphur smell is gone.
Lived 18 years on an acreage with well water, removed the anoroid never had a problem.
I replaced one water tank in 10 years only because I thought it was time.

The smell is much more prevalent with cold than hot. I'm more inclined to believe I contaminated my lines, somehow. Silly of me to run that old water through the system; should've just dumped it.

[fpresto]

Try replacing your input water hose. They can build up mold if put away wet.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by fpresto

Try replacing your input water hose. They can build up mold if put away wet.

Gosh, I hope that's not it. It's practically brand new!

Thanks!

[TimmyB]

OK, had a chance today to sanitize the system. Did everything according to the instructions found on a helpful video from RV Geeks. Discovered Fleetwood was kind enough to put the hot water bypass right in my kitchen with a simple 90-degree shutoff valve! That made things a little simpler. All the sinks, toilet, shower smell like new again!

We'll see how long this lasts! At least I know the process, now. Again, THANK YOU to all who offered helpful hints. I'll do my best to pay them forward.

[MWeiner]

This stuff works....


https://www.bayteccontainers.com/purogene-water-treatment.html