As with odors caused by iron bacteria the sulfur smell may only be noticeable when the water hasn t been run for several hours.
Sulfur bacteria in well water.
Iron and sulfur bacteria are an annoyance more than a health hazard but they can be incredibly damaging to the plumbing systems that they grow in.
Pure water is tasteless but water is a strong natural solvent and will dissolve minerals that may give it an odor or flavor.
Many well owners are immediately frightened by the thought of contaminants of any kind entering their water supply.
Hydrogen sulfide typically enters the well water through naturally occurring bacteria.
Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that can exist naturally in groundwater.
Often keeps odors away for 1 2 months.
Of the two types sulfur reducing bacteria are the more common.
Because objectionable stains tastes or odors may be due to other causes including sulfate hydrogen sulfide or other nuisance organisms like sulfur bacteria proper identification of chemical substances and microorganisms in well water is the first step and should be done by a state certified laboratory.
The most obvious sign of a sulfur bacteria problem is the distinctive rotten egg odor of hydrogen sulfide gas.
Sulfur reducing bacteria live in oxygen deficient environments such as deep wells plumbing systems water softeners and water heaters.
When you smell the odor of sulfur in your water that lets you know that you re ingesting the waste of bacteria.
Scary fact 2 sulfur is found in.
Iron and sulfur bacteria in water.
Sulfur reducing bacteria produce sulfide in an anaerobic reaction in several ways including fermentation part of the rotting smell and as a form of respiration much as other bacteria and organisms use oxygen the more common process present in groundwater is sulfate reduction a form of respiration performed.
Sulfur bacteria can be difficult to remove once established in a well.
Sulfur reducing bacteria which use sulfur as an energy source are the primary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide.
Scary fact 1 bacteria that live in soil use sulfur as a food or energy source.
Install a chlorine injector system chlorinator on your wellhead for continuous injection of chlorine when the water is running.
Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors.
Chlorine is toxic to coliforms and is the most common type of water disinfection agent.
When sulfur gets into groundwater naturally occurring bacteria can reduce the organic sulfite ores and produce hydrogen sulfide gas.
The bacteria then produce hydrogen sulfide gas.
Below are a few facts to keep in mind regarding sulfur in your water.
In some cases the odor will only be.
When coliforms are present the treatment is usually to chlorinate the system.
It is perhaps more common in areas with shale or sandstone geology.
These bacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide.
