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Public Utilities

Posted on Sep 17, 2025

Ask Richmond DPU: Why does my tap water smell like rotten eggs?

Some customers occasionally notice an unpleasant “rotten egg” odor coming from their tap water. While the smell can be concerning, the water remains safe to use. The odor can have several different causes, both inside and outside the home’s plumbing system. To help customers understand this issue and learn about possible solutions, we are sharing the American Water Works Association’s article “Common Customer Complaint: ‘My Hot Water Stinks’” by David J. Hack, originally published in Opflow (June 2000).

Common Customer Complaint: My Hot Water Stinks