Hydrogen sulfide may sometimes be present in private wells due to rainwater runoff, chemical runoff, sewage, and other causes. If your water smells like rotten egg, the odor may result from sulfur bacteria and hydrogen sulfide gas. In large amounts, sulfur may influence the odor and taste of drinking water in private wells. Although it does not threaten one’s health, the unpleasant smell and taste of sulfur in drinking water must be taken seriously.

If there is just a little smell, our regular system above eliminates it. If you have extreme sulfur, you may need to ask about our Sulfur water filtration bundle. 

Understanding Sulfur and Its Effects in Water

Sulfur is not considered as a primary drinking water contaminant by the EPA. However, sulfur gases in water can cause drinking water to have a rotten egg smell and unpleasant taste. The chemical element may come into contact with well water in several ways. Broken wells are easy access to sulfur and sulfur bacteria during the rainy season. Sometimes, chemical spill offs, fertilizers, and rainwater runoffs carry the contaminant into private wells.

Why Does My Water Have a Rotten Egg Smell?

In most cases, sulfur bacteria present in groundwater reacts to the water heater and produces a rotten egg smell. Once hydrogen sulfide is present in your well water, the best thing to do is to take the necessary steps to remove it from your water source. Even though it is not harmful to your health, the unpleasant odor and taste are reasons enough to make you take immediate action.

How to Determine the Presence of Sulfur in Water

If you suspect contaminants like sulfur in your drinking water, you can find out what pollutes your water source with the help of a complete water test kit. Once sulfur bacteria breaks down organic matters, hydrogen sulfide gas is released which creates the smell of rotten eggs in water. Since you experience changes in the aesthetic of your drinking water, the best thing you can do is to check it for possible contaminants. Regular water testing and maintenance is a must when you rely on a private well for your drinking water since they are not EPA regulated.

How to Remove Sulfur from Water

Although sulfur is considered more of an aesthetic problem than a primary drinking water contaminant, households must take the necessary actions to remove the chemical element from their water source. Since there are several culprits behind the cause of the changes in the odor and taste of your water, the best thing you can do is find out the root cause of the water issue.

Increase Temperature of Heater

If your water heater produces the aroma of rotten egg, you can increase the temperature of your heater to address the problem. Trying this first may save you from a professional service call to remove the sulfur odor.

Hire a Water System Professional

You can also contact a water system professional who can either replace the magnesium anode or use a chlorine bleach solution to flush off the water heater. Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB’s) are not considered harmful to human health. However, they can affect the odor of water and make it produce an unpleasant smell. The SRB can release a strong odor as the cold water flows at first draw. The strength of the rotten egg smell reduces as the cold water flows. Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria are treated with shock-chlorination in private wells and plumbing. Continuous chlorination is conducted if the sulfur odor persists or quickly returns.

Aside from providing the best solution, finding the source of the rotten egg smell problem is key to a successful water treatment. Conducting a water test will help you find the culprit so you can come up with the best approach to the water issue.

Whole House Filters with Granular Activated Carbon

Installing a water filter system like AquaOx’s RE edition will help remove sulfur from water. This water filter designed for the whole house uses a granular activated carbon filtration system to remove the unwanted contaminants. Several types of filter media are used in AquaOx Whole House Filters for high-quality water. They include:

• KDF 85

• Garnet

• Centaur Catalytic Adsorptive Carbon

• Activated Coconut Shell Carbon

• Filter-AG

Installation and maintenance of GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON filtration SYSTEM

The installation process of the whole house GAC carbon filter system is simple and easy to understand. In fact, you don’t need special skills to install the product. If you have a hectic schedule though, you can hire a water system professional or plumber to set it up for you. Once installed, you’ll immediately notice the improvement in the aesthetic of your drinking water.

After installation, you should flush the filter with several gallons of water before drinking it. This will help wash away any carbon fines commonly found in new filters. They are small particles of carbon that appear black or gray, and usually only occur when a new filter is installed.

This whole house system does not require regular maintenance or a replacement filter cartridge as it is designed to last a family of four 20+ years. Since the system cleans and maintains itself, homeowners can relax and let the product do the heavy-lifting. The AquaOx can also be used with a water softener.

Eliminate impurities and protect your homes and families with the best water filter system today!