How Do You Get The Sulfur Smell Out Of Well Water?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors. Often keeps odors away for 1 – 2 months.

How do you get the smell out of well water?

Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors. Often keeps odors away for 1 – 2 months. 2. Chlorinator: Install a chlorine injector system (chlorinator) on your wellhead for continuous injection of chlorine when the water is running.

How do you remove hydrogen sulfide from well water?

Since hydrogen sulfide occurs as a gas in water, it can be physically removed by injecting air into the water and allowing the gas to escape. Aeration units may work by cascading, bubbling, or stripping the gas from the water. Aeration may be advantageous because it does not add chemicals to the water.

Is it safe to drink well water that smells like sulfur?

In most cases drinking water that has a strong rotten egg odor, although particularly unpleasant, is perfectly safe to drink . However in some rare occasions the odor may be caused by sewage or other contaminates in a building’s water supply, which could cause health problems.

What does it mean when your well water smells like rotten eggs?

Hydrogen sulfide gas (H 2 S) can give water a “rotten egg” taste or odor. This gas can occur in wells anywhere and be: Naturally occurring – a result of decay and chemical reactions with soil and rocks. Produced by certain “sulfur bacteria” in the groundwater, well, or plumbing system.

How does the body get rid of hydrogen sulfide?

When you breathe air containing hydrogen sulfide or when hydrogen sulfide comes into contact with skin, it is absorbed into the blood stream and distributed throughout the body. In the body, hydrogen sulfide is primarily converted to sulfate and is excreted in the urine .

Why does my well water all of a sudden smell?

What Causes the Sulphur Smell in Well Water? The main reason for the smell is sulfur bacteria or hydrogen sulfide . Sulfur bacteria are found in environments that lack oxygen, like deep wells. You’ll also find such issues in areas having plumbing systems and organic matter.

Can I shower in water that smells like sulfur?

A rotten egg odor is a sign that the sulfur levels in your water may be too high. ... It’s understandable if you don’t want to drink or bathe in foul-smelling water, nor should you have to. Good, clean water is free of taste or odors and doesn’t pose any risks to your health.

Can you get sick from sulfur water?

At high concentrations, sulfur water can cause diarrhea and illness . In most US households, though, drinking sulfur water is safe because the concentration of sulfates and hydrogen sulfide is low.

Can sulfur smell make you sick?

You can smell hydrogen sulfide gas at lower levels than may cause health effects, so smelling the gas does not always mean that it will make you sick. However, at higher levels, your nose can become overwhelmed by the gas and you cannot smell it .

How often should you chlorinate your well?

Homeowners with private wells should have their well water tested every 3 to 5 years for some contaminants, including bacteria. If these tests turn up positive for bacteria, chlorinating the well may be a way to resolve the problem.

What can cause the smell of sulfur?

Natural gas and propane are odorless, but gas companies inject them with a chemical called mercaptan that gives them a sulfur smell—like rotten eggs—to alert residents to a gas leak. A small gas leak could be creating the occasional foul odor you’re noticing, so don’t take any chances.

How do you sanitize well water?

Rinse the inside of the well casing with a garden hose or bucket for 5-10 minutes. Open all faucets inside the home and run the water until you notice a strong odor of chlorine (bleach) at each faucet. Turn off all faucets and allow the solution to remain in the well and plumbing for at least 12 hours.

How long does hydrogen sulfide stay in your system?

People are normally exposed to hydrogen sulfide in air by breathing it in or by skin/eye contact. Any absorbed hydrogen sulfide does not accumulate in the body as it is rapidly metabolised in the liver and excreted in the urine. Hydrogen sulfide usually breaks down in air in about 3 days and is dispersed by wind.

What happens if you breathe in hydrogen sulfide?

At low levels, hydrogen sulfide causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Moderate levels can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, as well as coughing and difficulty in breathing . Higher levels can cause shock, convulsions, coma, and death.

How can I reduce the hydrogen sulfide in my gut?

A low protein diet , or certainly if you’re going to consume a moderate-high protein diet a high intake of fibre is also needed to offset it. In both human and animal studies, a high protein diet results in fecal microbiota changes that increase H2S production and decrease SCFA production.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.