𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹? 

Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) can give water a “rotten egg” taste or odor. This gas can occur in wells anywhere and be:

• Naturally occurring - a result of decay and chemical reactions with soil and rocks.
• Produced by certain “sulfur bacteria” in the groundwater, well, or plumbing system.
• Produced by sulfur bacteria or chemical reactions inside of water heaters.

Unless you are very familiar with water heater operation and maintenance, have a plumber or water system professional to do the work.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗱𝗲:

• Many water heaters have a magnesium anode, which is attached to a plug located on top of the water heater. 
• It can be removed by turning off the water, releasing the pressure from the water heater, and unscrewing the plug. 
• Be sure to plug the hole. 
• Removal of the anode, however, may significantly decrease the life of the water heater. 
• You may wish to consult with a water heater dealer to determine if a replacement anode made of a different material, such as aluminum, can be installed. 
• A replacement anode may provide corrosion protection without contributing to the production of hydrogen sulfide gas.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀: 

• Sulfate: 103 mg/l, 92.8 mg/l, 169 mg/l, 112 mg/l. All results below the MCL 250 mg/l (Maximum Containment Level) mg/l (milligrams per liter) established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
• Sulfide: ND, ND, ND, ND. (Non-detectable) 
• These test were performed by an accredited lab.

Learn more about the City’s water supply and testing at: warrenville.il.us/721/water