How to Remove Hydrogen Sulfide Gas From Drinking Water
If your water gives off an odor like rotten eggs, it probably carries a gas called hydrogen sulfide. Although hydrogen sulfide is not thought to present a health risk, it can be a nuisance and make using the water in your home unpleasant, as well as leaving a persistent odor in the home. Hydrogen sulfide in your water is due to sulfur bacteria, which live by getting nutrients from rotting plants, rock and soil. The gas is a by-product of their digestion process. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Test for bacterial contamination just in case the hydrogen sulfide is coming from sewage pollution. You can then use a system that treats the water as it enters your house or you can use filters on your faucets if you are concerned only about hydrogen sulfide in your drinking and cooking water.
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Aerate the water coming into the house, which produces a chemical reaction that produces sulfate, which is odorless. Several of different types of aeration systems are commercially available and are best installed by a professional.
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Use a chlorination system to treat all of the water coming into the house. Install a device that releases a little chlorine into the water. The chlorine reacts chemically with the hydrogen sulfide to produce a tasteless, odorless yellow particle that can be filtered out.
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Place filters on faucets or install at the point where water enters your house. An activated carbon filter works if you have only small amounts of hydrogen sulfide in your drinking water. You must replace the filter periodically. You can choose another option--an oxidizing filter, which uses manganese-coated sand to change the hydrogen sulfide gas to particles of sulfur. The particles are then trapped by the filter. Again, you must replace these filters at intervals.
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Use a reverse osmosis system, which forces the water through a membrane, trapping the hydrogen sulfide gas and letting the filtered water through. Boil the water to form a vapor--condensing the vapor gets rid of sulfate and other minerals. Use this distillation process for small quantities of water.
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References
- Photo Credit grey glass pitcher and glass and water image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
