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Hydrogen Sulphide in your water, may produce an unpleasant odour, like rotten eggs!
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)
Hydrogen Sulphide
is a gas which smells strongly like rotten eggs. It results from the
decay of organic matter with organic sulphur and the presence of
certain types of bacteria. Even very low concentrations are offensive
as well as highly corrosive (silver tarnishes almost immediately upon
contact with H2S). Because it is in a gaseous form, H2S
cannot be collected in a sample bottle for laboratory analysis.
Therefore, its presence must be reported when a sample is submitted for
a treatment recommendation. It can be removed by oxidation/filtration,
aeration, or well sanitization.
Indications of Sulfate and Hydrogen Sulfide
Sulfate
Sulfate minerals can cause scale buildup in water
pipes similar to other minerals and may be associated with
a bitter taste in water that can have a laxative effect on
humans and young livestock. Elevated sulfate levels in combination with
chlorine bleach can make cleaning clothes difficult. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria produce effects similar to those of iron
bacteria. They convert sulfide into sulfate, producing a dark slime that
can clog plumbing and/or stain clothing. Blackening of water or dark slime
coating the inside of toilet tanks may indicate a sulfur-oxidizing bacteria
problem. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are less common than sulfur-reducing
bacteria.
More Information on Hydrogen Sulphide
Hydrogen sulphide gas produces an offensive "rotten egg" or "sulfur
water" odour and taste in the water. In some cases, the odour may be
noticeable only when the water is initially turned on or when hot water
is run. Heat forces the gas into the air which may cause the odour to be
especially offensive in a shower. Occasionally, a hot water heater is a source of hydrogen sulphide odour.
The magnesium corrosion control rod present in many hot water heaters can
chemically reduce naturally occurring sulfates to hydrogen sulphide.
A nuisance associated with hydrogen sulphide includes its corrosiveness to
metals such as iron, steel, copper and brass. It can tarnish silverware and
discolour copper and brass utensils. Hydrogen sulphide also can cause yellow or
black stains on kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Coffee, tea and other
beverages made with water containing hydrogen sulphide may be discoloured and
the appearance and taste of cooked foods can be affected.
High concentrations of dissolved hydrogen sulphide also can foul the resin
bed of an ion exchange water softener. When a hydrogen sulphide odour occurs
in treated water (softened or filtered) and no hydrogen sulphide is detected
in the non-treated water, it usually indicates the presence of some form of
sulfate-reducing bacteria in the system. Water softeners provide a
convenient environment for these bacteria to grow. A "salt-loving" bacteria,
that uses sulfates as an energy source, may produce a black slime
inside water softeners.
Potential Health Effects
Sulfate
Sulfate may have a laxative effect that can lead to dehydration and is
of special concern for infants. With time, people and young livestock will
become acclimatised to the sulfate and the symptoms disappear.
Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria pose no known human health risk. The Maximum
contaminate level is 250 mg/L.
Hydrogen Sulphide
Hydrogen sulphide is flammable and poisonous. Usually it is not a health
risk at concentrations present in household water, except in very high
concentrations. While such concentrations are rare, hydrogen sulphide's
presence in drinking water when released in confined areas has been known to
cause nausea, illness and, in extreme cases, death.
Water with hydrogen sulphide alone does not cause disease. In rare
cases, however, hydrogen sulphide odour may be from sewage pollution which can
contain disease-producing contaminants. Therefore, testing
for bacterial contamination and Sulfate Reducing Bacteria is highly recommended.
Water testing analysis
Colour and odour removal systems
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