Sulfer water smell!!?
Answers:
The sulfur (or sulphur) smell in your water is caused by hydrogen sulfide gas (HS2). This gas, also known as sewer gas, not only has an offensive odor (like rotten eggs), but can be toxic and is corrosive.
Your first step should be to call your town's water department and ask them for advice. They'll be able to tell you if the problem is at the water source. Don't assume because you're on town water that your water comes from a reservoir. Many towns are on well water (mine is), and sometimes the water quality can vary depending on which wells are in use. Also, talk to your neighbors and find out if they are experiencing similar problems. That may help you determine if the problem is coming from the water supply. If it is, ask all of your neighbors to call the water department, too.
Is the odor recent, or has it been there all along? Has it gradually been getting worse, has it always been about the same, or has there been an abrupt change? If it's recent, there may be a change in the town's water quality (which can be seasonal, or related to how recently they've flushed the pipes or to a change in how the water is treated).
You mentioned that the odor comes from one particular tap. Often, this smell is more noticeable when you run water from a tap that has not been used for a while. It's also usually more noticeable when you run hot water rather than cold. It could be simply that that tap is used only in the morning (unlike your other taps that are used throughout the day), so you notice the odor more from that tap. It's also possible that there's something different about that tap that you could investigate. For example, is it on a water softener or filter?
Ironically, the source of the odor may be within your own home. One source of hydrogen sulfide is sulfate-eating bacteria, which can live in a water treatment device or in a water heater. (A telltale sign is black slime in your water softener or filter.) If you have a water treatment device, it may need to be serviced. This could be as simple as changing filters, or you may need to call the company that installed it. Most water treatment devices require regular maintenance. If the source is your water heater, the anode rod (which collects minerals to keep the tank from rusting out) may need to be replaced.
Finally, minimize the health risk by making sure that you have adequate ventilation in your bathroom. If there's no window, check that the ventilation fan is working properly.
Good luck!
Other answers:
Try putting one of those water filter things on the tap. I hate that smell!
Try putting one of those water filter things on the tap. I hate that smell!