What is Hydrogen Sulfide and how does it get into water?
Hydrogen sulfide is formed by sulfur bacteria that may occur in water. These bacteria use the sulfur in decaying plants, rocks, or soil as their food or energy source and produce hydrogen sulfide. The sulfur bacteria in water can cause a bad taste or odor. Water containing hydrogen sulfide usually gives a “rotten egg” smell and taste.
Why is Hydrogen Sulfide in your water a concern?
Water supplies with as little as 1.0 ppm (part per million) hydrogen sulfide are corrosive, may tarnish copper and silverware, and occasionally release a black material that stains laundry and fixtures.
Hydrogen sulfide problems in water can be difficult to treat. Other water quality problems, such as iron, corrosive water, or high levels of dissolved minerals, can complicate the selection and performance of water treatment equipment.
Sulfur/Iron Breaker: Uses natural oxidation to remove sulfur or iron from your water supply for moderate problems of bad odor. Eliminates the need for a more expensive chlorine feed (chlorination) system, unless there are other contaminants in the water as well.
Chlorination: Chlorine will quickly react with hydrogen sulfide to remove the odor. A small amount of chlorine, usually household laundry bleach, can be automatically added with a chemical feed pump to remove hydrogen sulfide. A carbon filter is needed to remove the oxidized material and chlorine. Automatic backwashing flushes out the accumulated sulfur particles. In between the chemical pump and the 9 inch by 44 inch filter, a 40 to 80 gallon contact tank is required to allow time for the chlorine to react with the water.
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If you have questions on how to treat Hydrogen Sulfide
in your well water, call us today 973-927-7303 and ask to speak to a specialist.
Do I Have Hydrogen Sulfide in My Water?
Since hydrogen sulfide can be detected in water by smell and taste, laboratory testing is not needed to detect its presence.
- If the smell is only from the hot water faucet the problem is likely to be in the water heater.
- If the smell is in both the hot and cold faucets, but only from the water treated by a water softener and not in the untreated water, the problem is likely to be sulfur bacteria in the water softener.
- If the smell is strong when the water in both the hot and cold faucets is first turned on, and it diminishes or goes away after the water has run, or if the smell varies through time, the problem is likely to be sulfur bacteria in the well or distribution system.
- If the smell is strong when the water in both the hot and cold faucets is first turned on and is more or less constant and persists with use, the problem is likely to be hydrogen sulfide as in the groundwater.
Hydrogen Sulfide in your water: How to treat it and what you need to know.
The Good News: RAdata has the knowledge and experience to safely reduce Hydrogen Sulfide in your drinking water!
You can also contact us to have RAdata create a free, no obligation estimate for Water Treatment Services.