Pur water filter is one of the best water filters in the market. But, sometimes when we use it for a long time and don’t replace it, some smells will come out from the water filter which is not pleasant.
Pur water filter is one of the most advanced pitchers on the market and it filters up to 100,000 gallons of water before needing replacement! But there is one problem – sometimes your filter smells like sulfur. This article breaks down what causes this weird smell, how to fix it if you’re not happy with its performance, and why some people might even be allergic!
Why does your Pur water filter smell like sulfur?
Your PUR water filter is designed to reduce the taste and smell of chlorine, sulfur, dirt, or any other impurities. If you have clean water that smells like sulfur, it is likely because of the Pur water filter. Although some people do not know this, many filters emit sulfur as they remove chlorine from your tap water.
Your Pur water filter may have this egg-like smell (sulfur) because of the presence of hydrogen sulfide in your tap or well water. Small levels of hydrogen sulfide can cause a sulfur-like odor or taste in your drinking water.
This is usually caused by a mix of sulfate, a naturally occurring substance prevalent throughout the environment, and the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria in your water. When the bacteria feeds on the sulfate, the sulfate is reduced to sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide is produced as a byproduct.
An electric water heater may also unintentionally emit hydrogen sulfide. These water heaters often feature a magnesium anode rod (made of magnesium sulfate) to aid in the prevention of corrosion.
If the anode rod corrodes, free electrons are released into the water, stimulating the interaction between sulfate-reducing bacteria and sulfate, which creates hydrogen sulfide and therefore the rotten egg smell.
This is more likely to happen if water is left in the water heater for an extended length of time, and it will disappear once the water in the heater is utilized. In more extreme circumstances, this might happen overnight and may necessitate the deployment of a water treatment system to eradicate the underlying cause (the bacteria).
PUR water filters usually have a filter that swings down and backs up when it is not in use. When the filter is swinging, you should be able to smell sulfur. If they can’t, then there could be an issue with either the filter or its installation.
There are also other factors as well such as the age of your Pur water filter, the condition of the machine, and if you live near a natural gas plant.
Another explanation unique to pitchers is that the hydroxide ions in the filter are used up first, and only hydrogen ions are now being placed in your water. Hydrogen ions react with dissolved chlorine present to produce chloroform gas which has a distinct smell of rotten eggs.
Summarised table on solutions to eliminate the smell
| # | Solution | Description | Benefits | Price Range | Check Price on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PUR Ultimate Filtration System | Eliminate sulfur smell and taste from your water with the advanced PUR filtration system designed to deliver the best water quality. | -Removes sulfur smell -Reduces impurities -Enhanced water taste |
$$ | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | PUR Faucet Mount Filter | Opt for an easy-to-install PUR faucet mount filter that effectively removes hydrogen sulfide and other contaminants directly from your tap. | -Space-saving -Convenient -High-performance filtration |
$$ | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 | PUR Pitcher & Dispenser | Invest in a stylish, durable, and user-friendly PUR Pitcher & Dispenser that complements your kitchen and enhances your water drinking experience. | -Sleek design -High capacity -Easy to use |
$$ | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 | PUR Replacement Filters | Keep your water fresh and free from sulfur smell by stocking up on high-quality PUR replacement filters to ensure optimal performance at all times. | -Consistent water quality -Long-lasting filters -Easy to replace |
$$ | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 | Activated Carbon Block Filter | Use an activated carbon block filter to effectively remove hydrogen sulfide and other contaminants from your water supply for a better taste. | -Improved water taste -Effective filtration -Easy installation |
$ | Check Price on Amazon |
Is it safe to shower in water that smells like sulfur?
It is safe to shower in water that smells like sulfur and other bad odors. Hydrogen sulfide, which is the cause of this smell, has been found to have no adverse effects on human health.
If you find your water smells like sulfur, it’s safe to shower in the contaminated water. The cause of this is bacteria left behind by previous users that can accumulate and give off a rotten egg odor. This only happens if there has been no chlorine added into the system for an extended period of time or when flushing doesn’t occur often enough (less than 3 times per week).
The presence of sulfur or even a chlorine odor in your water does not always signal that it is harmful to consume. However, if you notice that the smell, taste, or look of your drinking water has changed, it is critical that you have it tested to determine the cause of the problem.
This will assist you in determining whether there is anything possibly toxic in your water and will aid in your attempts to seek treatment alternatives, even if it is safe to drink. Using a water filter to remove dangerous impurities is one of the better options for drinking directly from the faucet.
How do you remove hydrogen sulfide from water?
If your water smells like sulfur or has a foul taste, then you may have hydrogen sulfide in it. This is an indication that there are bacteria present which produce sulfur.
Hydrogen sulfide is found naturally in water but can also be caused by other things such as decaying vegetation and industrial pollution.
The best way to get rid of this problem is to test your water for hydrogen sulfide levels in a person with a trained professional who will use gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine the cause of poor-tasting and foul-smelling water.
When water is exposed to sulfur, it can produce a very pungent smell. Sulfur in tap water usually occurs when the city’s waste-water treatment plant releases hydrogen sulfide into your drinking water supply.
In order for you to get rid of this unpleasant odor from your home or business, all you have to do is replace the filter with one that removes hydrogen sulfide from your Pur filtered store-purchased bottled waters and use an activated carbon block filter on any other type of source such as tap water.
The Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Penn State University all recommend homeowners with private wells test their water annually for bacteria. If hydrogen sulfide is present in your well water then you should use a low-cost option like Pur’s Water Filter to remove it before using or drinking from it.
The best treatment depends on the level and form of hydrogen sulfide or sulfates in your water, as well as if other contaminants are present. For instance, a simple carbon filter will not remove anything from your tap water without some help.
If you want to know what’s in your water it is important that you use an advanced system like Pur Water Filter to test for pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide and find out how much there is before taking action!
Finally, according to H2OCare, follow these steps to remove sulfur from your water.
- Ozone is a strong oxidant that is particularly effective in precipitating sulfur from water. It works in quantities of up to 10 ppm.
- Oxidizing filters can handle quantities of up to 6 ppm. The filter is made of sand with a manganese dioxide layer that converts hydrogen sulfide gas into microscopic sulfur particles that are trapped inside the filter.
- When hydrogen sulfide levels are low, activated carbon filters can be useful (up to about 0.3 ppm). The hydrogen sulfide is absorbed by the carbon particles’ surface. Filters must be replaced on a regular basis and can host sulfate-reducing microorganisms.
- Your well’s hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria may be reduced by shock chlorination. It works best in water with a pH of 5 to 7 and is useless in alkaline (higher pH) water. To remove leftover chlorine or tiny quantities of remaining hydrogen sulfide, an activated carbon filter may be required.
- When hydrogen sulfide causes an odor in the water heating system, water heater adjustment is required. Replacing the magnesium corrosion control rod with one made of aluminum or other metals typically helps the condition; however, you should verify the water heater’s manufacturer’s guarantee to ensure you aren’t voiding the warranty.
Why does my PUR water smell fishy?
A PUR water filter can become smelly over time as a result of an expired filter. The filters are designed to last for up to six months, but after that, they may release chlorine or other chemicals into the water which creates a fishy odor. This is likely due to the accumulation of metals and other contaminants in the filter and now back into your drinking water supply.
The problem is that water can carry a lot of bacteria and chemicals from the reservoir to the holding tank. If you have a filter on your way from the pump to the holding tank, then it should be able to eliminate this issue.
Another common reason for the foul odor is that you are using tap water with high levels of chlorine. After running your water through the new PUR filter, it will be free from impurities and odors like chlorine or sulfates.
If there’s no improvement in the smell after following these steps, then contact customer service to troubleshoot further before replacing your filter.
Why does my PUR water filter taste funny?
The PUR water filter is a popular option with many people. It has been designed with the best filtration technology and comes in a variety of different sizes to suit your needs.
However, it can be difficult to understand why the filter tastes funny since there are so many chemicals that have been stuck in there from all of its uses.
In an educational project supported by the Department of Education, California State University, and the University of California Davis in 2014 to investigate household water filter use patterns among low-income communities in Mexico City. The study found that there is a correlation between “the presence” or lack thereof “of ion exchange resin additives from brands such as PUR,” which creates a taste that some people find unpleasant.
Water that has a pH between 4 to 5, will taste sour or tart. The acidity of the water will be concentrated in your mouth and may even cause you to have a burning sensation as it reacts with the enzymes on your tongue.
However, if you do not properly wash out this filter before use by filling it up with fresh tap water from time to time through its intake valve, then there is an increased chance that mineral deposits might build up inside the device’s housing.
Mike Spencer
Hi Guys, Mike is a Mechanical Engineer who specializes in Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning. His love for humanity and his profession propels him to share useful and factual Information on this blog.