How to Eliminate Hydrogen Sulfide in Water
Hydrogen sulfide is a dissolved gas that can cause several unpleasant problems when present in a water supply. Most noticeably, it gives the water a sulfur, or rotten egg, odor. It can also cause corrosion in pipes and can blacken the water, along with silver tableware washed in it, according to the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Farm Water Supply Section. There are several options for removing hydrogen sulfide from your water supply. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Shock chlorinate if you use well water. Bacteria is the usual culprit when well water is contaminated with hydrogen sulfide. Most people will need a water treatment professional to successfully complete this process. However, if you feel that you are qualified, Wilkes University Center for Environmental Quality offers instructions for shock chlorination of a private well water supply.
-
2
If the rotten egg odor is associated only with your hot water heater, disinfect the tank with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. If this does not help, replace the magnesium rod in your hot water heater with a zinc or aluminum rod. A chemical reaction can take place between sulphates, bacteria and the magnesium rod, causing this problem, states the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Farm Water Supply Section. Never attempt to modify your own water heater if you don't know what you are doing. Modifying a hot water heater yourself will void the warranty.
-
-
3
Attach a chlorine feeder to the water supply line from the pump and a filter system to the water line leading to the house. Chlorine oxidizes the hydrogen sulfide, and the filter removes particulates that result from this process. Either a sand filter or an activated carbon filter can be used. In some cases, both may be used wherein the sand filter removes sulfide particulates and the carbon filter removes chlorine from the distribution system.
-
4
Install an aeration system, the main component of which is a ventilated storage tank, between the water source and the distribution system. In the aeration process, water is sprayed into a chamber, separating the hydrogen sulfide, which is drawn off by ventilation. Then the water is pumped from the storage tank into the distribution system. This can be a complex setup and isn't often used in a residential application.
-
5
Explore other options, including a manganese greensand iron filter and various alternative oxidizing agents, such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate. A water treatment professional can help you diagnose and treat your water problem.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Always consult a water treatment professional, and never attempt any of these steps if you don't know what you are doing.
