Hydrogen sulfide isn’t listed under the list of primary or secondary health and environment containments of Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA), standards for drinking water. However when the hydrogen sulfide concentration in water is up to 0.5 parts per million (ppm), it:
- Emits unpleasant odor
- Stains bathroom fixtures and laundry with black and yellow
- Discolors beverages
- Can change the overall appearance and taste of your cooked foods
hydrogen sulfide removal is thought of as a secondary contaminant with a concentration of 250 ppm (Maximum Contaminant Level). High sulfate levels at around 250 ppm can:
- Bear laxative effects
- Impart better taste
- Result in Dehydration
- Bear negative health impact on young animals and infants
There are many standard processes for treating hydrogen sulfate and sulfide removal from drinking water. The selection of the appropriate process would be based on hydrogen sulfide and/or water sulfate concentration. The present concentration of hydrogen sulfate would determine whether it is necessary to have a point of use (treatment at a faucet) or a point of entry system (treating entire house water). For higher concentrations, it’s best to choose the point of entry treatment option. Let’s look at some common water treating options for the removal of hydrogen sulfide:
Granular Activated Carbon
For hydrogen sulfide levels of up to 0.3 ppm, it’s advised to get a (GAC) filter for minimizing unpleasant taste and odor. With a limited capacity for absorbing hydrogen sulfide, an exhausted GAC filter can be required. As an outcome, the activated carbon filter won’t be an efficient way to filter out sulfide concentrations up to 0.3ppm.
Aeration Treatment
Hydrogen sulfide gas quickly escapes from water resulting in a foul odor and an aeration process would be required to completely remove its nonionic surfactant. Air bubbling is done through the tank and then hydrogen sulfide is suspended in the air through venting it outdoors. Normally larger air volume is gathered into the water through a blower or air compressor. Otherwise, bladder-style pressure tank is replaced with old-style pressure tanks. The sulfide then volatilizes in air bubbles.
Shock Chlorination Treatment
The plumbing system, aquifer, or casing generally has sulfur-lessening bacteria surfactant soap. A lot of laboratories conclude that it is possible to find sulfur-reducing bacteria when water tests are positive to confirm bacteria with the smell of “rotten egg”. Here the best treatment method would be shock chlorination.
Changing Magnesium Rod for Heating Water
When the source of hydrogen sulfide smell is only the faucet carrying hot water, the heater might be the issue-causing agent. The water heating has a corrosion control magnesium rod which causes a chemical reaction with sulfate resulting in the formation of hydrogen sulfide. It is possible to minimize or eliminate the issue through the replacement of a magnesium rod with zinc or aluminum.
Catalytic Carbon
With catalytic carbon technology upgrades, the option can be a great alternative for hydrogen sulfide removal. With catalytic carbon, you get all conventional GAC adsorptive properties but it is also possible to change it to the compound elemental sulfur. Firstly, the hydrogen sulfide is absorbed into the carbon surface and then the absorbed hydrogen is then oxidized to elemental sulfur with dissolved oxygen.
If you’re looking for options other than treatment for hydrogen sulfide removal you can consider buying water bottles – especially for beverage or food preparation. Installing a new water source like a well can also get you purified and sulfide-free water. Further to remove such impurities it would be a good measure to look out for a certified hydrogeologist who is knowledgeable about the most appropriate measures to be taken in such circumstances.
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