Softener emits a rotten egg or foul odor from softened water.

Safety first: Do not consume water with strong odors until the cause is identified. Consider testing for bacteria if health is a concern.

• Determine odor source: Test raw water vs softened water. If only softened water smells, the softener is implicated.
• Sanitize softener: Follow Hellenbrand’s sanitization procedure, typically involving adding a measured amount of household bleach to the brine well and running a full regeneration.
• Clean brine tank: If the brine tank is slimy or dirty, clean it thoroughly and replace with fresh salt.
• Increase regeneration frequency: More frequent regenerations can reduce stagnation and bacterial growth.
• Consider pre-treatment: If raw water has high hydrogen sulfide, install appropriate filtration (e.g., an iron/sulfur filter) ahead of the softener.