Sulfur Filters

Foul-smelling or unusual odors from your water should make you question its quality and safety. Water that is giving off a distinctive smell (rotten egg smell) is most likely contaminated with hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide does not usually pose immediate health problems at the levels it is found in domestic drinking supplies. However, it is certainly an inconvenience — especially to one’s nose, as it creates a “rotten egg” smell.

Occurrence & Characteristics of Hydrogen Sulfide (“Rotten Egg Smell”)

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that can exist naturally in groundwater. Sulfur-reducing bacteria present in groundwater use sulfur as an energy source to chemically change sulfates to hydrogen sulfide. The bacteria use sulfur from decaying plants and other organic matter in oxygen-deficient environments. They can occur in deep or shallow wells, and reside in plumbing systems. In addition to the hydrogen sulfide gas they produce, sulfur-reducing bacteria also generate slime that can promote the growth of other bacteria and clog wells and plumbing systems and water treatment filters.

Hydrogen sulfide, if present, will vary by well due to the varying geology. It is most common in shale and sandstone. The occurrence of hydrogen sulfide gas has been correlated to groundwater with low pH and groundwater with high levels of iron and/or manganese. It also may be associated with hydrocarbons and peat formations.

Hydrogen sulfide is quite pungent at low concentrations and 85% of people can detect ambient concentrations above 0.03 ppm. There is no Maximum Contaminant Level established by the EPA.

Hydrogen sulfide gas is flammable and poisonous at high concentrations. Usually it is not a health risk at concentrations present in household water. Buildup of hydrogen sulfide concentrations in confined areas has been known to cause adverse health effects.

Hydrogen sulfide is corrosive and can leach metals from plumbing systems into the water and effects A/C units. Corrosion of metals by hydrogen sulfide forms a black precipitate that can stain laundry, plumbing fixtures, corrodes exposed metal parts in washing machines, effects heat elements of water heaters and dishwashers, A/C coils, darken silverware, and discolor copper and brass utensils.

Sulfur Removal Methods

Five Star Water Systems offers several methods of removing Hydrogen Sulfide from water. The treatment method selected depends on many factors. These factors include the level of sulfur in the water, the amount of iron and manganese in the water, and if bacterial contamination must also be treated.

Other Considerations

Drilling a new well to find water with lower sulfur content may be a solution or be a waste of effort and money. Changing the depth of the well or moving a distance away from the original well, may not result in tapping different water-bearing layers. A different water-bearing layer may or may not be sulfur-free. Generally, the deeper the well, the higher the mineral and sulfur content

Ordinary household water softeners do not remove sulfur odors from water. In fact, softeners easily become fouled or clogged, reducing their softening capacity. The exchange material may eventually need replacing.

DO YOU HAVE HYDROGEN SULFIDE (SULFUR GAS/ROTTEN EGG SMELL) IN YOUR WATER?