What Causes Hydrogen Sulfide In Well Water

New hampshire department of environmental services.

What causes hydrogen sulfide in well water.

Hydrogen sulfide in drinking water. First if you smell rotten egg in water or near it you can assume hydrogen sulfide is present. Hydrogen sulfide in drinking water causes and treatment alternatives. While the gas is poisonous and flammable the human nose can detect it well before it causes health concerns.

It can cause discoloration of brass and copper utensils as well as tarnish silverware. Hydrogen sulfide in water is an aesthetic concern that causes a disagreeable taste and odor to the water. Hydrogen sulfide gas h 2 s can give water a rotten egg taste or odor. Install a chlorine injector system chlorinator on your wellhead for continuous injection of chlorine when the water is running.

Hydrogen sulfide depletes oxygen and can therefore produce a lethal atmosphere in enclosed spaces. Volcanoes and some hot springs as well as cold springs emit some h 2 s where it probably arises via the hydrolysis of sulfide minerals i e. Water with hydrogen sulfide alone does not cause disease. It can also leave black or yellow stains on bathroom and kitchen fixtures.

Often keeps odors away for 1 2 months. Hydrogen sulfide and sulfate in private drinking water wells. Chlorination eliminates the sulfur bacteria that cause the odor and combined with an air charger self. Testing for hydrogen sulfide the cause of the hydrogen sulfide problem must be determined before proper testing and appropri ate treatment can be applied.

The state of connecticut department of public health. If the problem is caused by hydrogen sulfide in the groundwater then the concentration of the gas in the water must be measured in order to select and properly size a treatment system. Small amounts of hydrogen sulfide occur in crude petroleum but natural gas can contain up to 30. Hydrogen sulfide and sulfur bacteria in well water well management program.

Citation needed hydrogen sulfide can be present naturally in well water often as a result of the action of sulfate reducing. Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors. Hydrogen sulfide can cause corrosion to brass copper steel and iron. Suffocation by hydrogen sulfide is a leading cause of injury and death in the groundwater industry.

Since bacteria are the most common cause treatment to control them should be tried first. Texas agrilife extension service the texas a m university system. Testing for hydrogen sulfide is quite straightforward. Ms h 2 o mo h 2 s.

While such concentrations are rare hydrogen sulfide s presence in drinking water when released in confined areas has been known to cause nausea illness and in extreme cases death. In rare cases however hydrogen sulfide odor may be from sewage pollution which can contain disease. This gas can occur in wells anywhere and be.