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Hydrogen Sulfide in Your Water?

Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that is produced naturally by decomposing organic material and sulfur-reducing bacteria. Hydrogen sulfide gives water a nuisance “rotten egg” smell and taste. Water supplies with 1.0 milligram per liter (parts per million) of hydrogen sulfide may be corrosive and tarnish copper and silverware. It can also produce yellow or black stains on kitchen and bathroom fixtures and can affect the appearance and taste of some foods and beverages. Treatment options for hydrogen sulfide include aeration, granular activated carbon filtration, and shock chlorination to kill the sulfur producing bacteria.

Sulfate is a combination of sulfur and oxygen, and is part of naturally occurring minerals in some soil and rock. The mineral dissolves over time and is released into ground water. Sulfur odor is produced when a non-harmful sulfur-reducing bacteria digests a small amount of the sulfate mineral.

Hydrogen sulfide is often present in wells drilled in shale or sandstone, or near coal or peat deposits or oil fields.

What are the health effects of Sulfur?

Hydrogen Sulfide Filter		Hydrogen Sulfide-Iron-Bacteria

Sulfate may have a laxative effect that can lead to dehydration and is of special concern for infants. With time, most individuals will become acclimated to the sulfate and the symptoms disappear.

Hydrogen sulfide is corrosive to metals such as iron, steel, copper and brass. It can tarnish silverware and discolor copper and brass utensils. Hydrogen sulfide can also cause yellow or black stains on kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Coffee, tea and other beverages made with water containing hydrogen sulfide may be discolored and the appearance and taste of cooked foods can be affected. High concentrations of dissolved hydrogen sulfide also can foul the resin bed of an ion exchange water softener.

Filtering out Sulfates

There are two basic types of water filter. Those that are installed inside a water ionizer and those that are installed outside a water ionizer or as a standalone filter. External filter systems can be configured in any number of stages with each stage removing a particular type or group of contaminants. Removing one type or group of contaminants is often considered a 1-Stage filter (i.e. removing either chlorine, fluoride-lead-arsenic, or nitrates).

Filters can be combined to form any number of stages to form: 2-Stage, 3-Stage, and even 7-Stage (i.e. reverse osmosis) filter systems. How many stages you need to filter your water depends on the possible contaminants in your water. The most common water contaminants include:

By combining different filters into a 2-Stage or 3-Stage system, you can remove multiple contaminants to produce a higher quality drinking water than with just a 1-Stage filter. Reverse osmosis filtration systems are more expensive, however, they are recommended for removing the highest percent (up to 99%) of contaminants from your water.