Does Your Drinking Water Have  Sulfur?

If you have well water rather than municipal or city water, you may have occasionally detected the smell of rotten eggs coming from your water. This indicates that your sulfur level may be too high. Good, clean drinking water is odorless and tasteless, but the presence of different minerals and contaminants can cause your water to take on an odor and a taste that makes it very unpleasant.

Many people use quality water softeners and filter systems to eliminate other contaminants, but sulfur can be particularly sticky and problematic for well owners to address. At high levels, it can be bad for your health and may even cause serious illness. An experienced water treatment provider can help you learn more about removing sulfur in your water.

How Does Sulfur Get in Your Water?

Sulfates are a form of sulfur. Sulfates get into water through the earth. As groundwater and rainwater seep through the earth’s surface, they dissolve the oxidized sulfide ores and other sulfur-containing minerals and carry the sulfur into your home’s well, or water source. While sulfur is a naturally occurring mineral and water is a powerful dissolvent, the two aren’t necessarily safe when cohabiting in your water source. Sulfur in your water can cause complications such as pipe corrosion and scale in addition to the easily recognizable taste and odor issues.

Below are a few facts to keep in mind regarding sulfur in your water:

Scary Fact #1
Bacteria that live in soil use sulfur as a food or energy source. The bacteria then produce hydrogen sulfide gas. 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 many foods and is considered a vital part of a healthy diet, but too much sulfur in your drinking water can lead to diarrhea and dehydration.

Scary Fact #3
Sulfur not only stinks and makes your water taste bad, it can also stain your sinks, toilets, and clothing and even damage plumbing. The bacteria that create the sulfur smell produce a slime that can potentially corrode your plumbing pipes. Damage to plumbing  is something you may not notice until it’s an emergency.

Scary Fact #4
Hydrogen sulfide producing bacteria flourish on the hot water side of your water distribution system, which means the rotten egg smell and taste occur in your home.

Scary Fact #5
The smell can cling to everything in your home and cause your home and your belongings to have the odor of rotten eggs and even affect your sense of taste. Who can enjoy food with that kind of scent in their nose?

Scary Fact #6
The presence of hydrogen sulfide in drinking water is not regulated by the EPA when water testing is done. It’s important to test the water  in your home to determine exactly what’s in your water.

Scary Fact #7
The point where you can taste the sulfur in your water is the point where it can cause you to have diarrhea. Pay close attention to the smell of your water and the taste. While some say that your body becomes accustomed to sulfur and that, over time, it won’t cause diarrhea or dehydration, why put yourself and your family through this scenario?

Home water treatment companies such as Hague Quality Water of Maryland can help you eliminate sulfur problems from your water source. Water filtration systems like the Hague 800 Iron Filter can remove sulfur without the use of harsh chemicals.  Call our team today to seek a resolution and have cleaner water.

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