| Removing sulfur in drinking water is a concern for | | | | source of unpleasant taste and odor. |
| many people. The chemical compound hydrogen | | | | Regarding household water, hydrogen sulfide may be |
| sulfide, what we call sulfur, is not a health hazard. | | | | present in hot water tanks. This is caused by a |
| However sulfur smell is a nuisance due to the | | | | biochemical reaction with sulphates in the water, a |
| distinctive rotten egg odor. There are several | | | | magnesium rod in the hot water heater or organic |
| treatment methods available for removing sulfur in | | | | matter in the water. Removing sulfur in drinking |
| drinking water. Sulfur can be removed by the same | | | | water can be as easy as disinfecting the water |
| processes as removing iron from water, such as | | | | heater with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. If |
| using a phosphate treatment. | | | | the problem stems from the magnesium rod you can |
| Hydrogen sulfide is a gas formed by the decay of | | | | remove the rod, but that will void your warranty on |
| organic plant materials. It is most commonly found in | | | | the hot water heater and it may expedite the |
| ground water and is characterized by low | | | | deterioration of the water heater. It is probably best |
| concentrations of dissolved oxygen. Sulfur either | | | | to replace the rod with aluminum or zinc rods. |
| escapes as a gas or is made into a solid. Sulfur | | | | Removing sulfur in drinking water will usually rely on |
| bacteria are found in many private water supplies and | | | | some way of oxidizing the hydrogen sulfide gas into |
| distribution systems. These bacteria feed off of the | | | | a solid sulfur. Oxidizing the hydrogen sulfide will make |
| natural compounds of sulfur in water and produce | | | | the compound into something soluble and easily |
| hydrogen sulfide as a result. Sulfur bacteria is not | | | | washed away. |
| harmful to human health, but the water will likely be a | | | | |