You’d think new plumbing would smell like roses. Nope. New copper or PEX pipes can actually make things worse. The materials give bacteria a cozy home.
Also, your water heater is brand-new. If it’s set too low, it won’t kill the bacteria. Warm water is their spa day. They multiply like crazy, belching out that eggy cloud.
One quirky fact: some people can’t smell this at all. It’s a genetic thing. About 1 in 20 people are nose-blind to hydrogen sulfide. You might have a roommate who thinks your water is fine while you gag.
Is It Dangerous? A Tiny Bit of Science
At low levels, hydrogen sulfide is harmless to drink. It’s just smelly. Your stomach acid will break it down faster than you can say “ew.”
But at very high levels, it can be toxic. That’s usually only in industrial settings, not your kitchen tap. Still, if the smell makes you dizzy, call your landlord. Better safe than sorry.
Hot Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs | Transit & Flow
Fun fact: the gas is flammable. Yes, your tap water could theoretically catch fire if there’s a lot of it. But don’t try lighting a match near the faucet. That’s a bad idea for many reasons.
