Do you notice a nasty smell when you run your tap water? Could this smell be described as smelling like rotten eggs? In that case, your drinking water probably contains hydrogen sulphide gas. Surprisingly, this is a very common problem in most households, especially if the water is coming from a well, lake or other still source.
What Causes the Smell?
The reason your water smells like rotten eggs is because of the presence of hydrogen sulphide. The gas gets into the water due to:
- The decay of organic matter containing sulphur in soil or rocks.
- Sulphate bacteria that convert sulphur compounds to hydrogen sulphide gas.
- The reaction occurring inside your water boiler.
Is Sulphur in Water Harmful?
Sulphur contaminants in water such as sulphates and hydrogen sulphides are not generally considered harmful to health. Even at low concentrations, the taste and odour would prohibit most people from drinking it before it reaches harmful levels. The main problem with sulphur in water lies with the damage it causes to plumbing fixtures. It is corrosive to metals and often reacts with them leaving yellow or black stains. Over time, this reaction cause leaks in the pipes.
What Should You Do?
If you want to remove the smell from your water, the first thing to do is to find the source of the problem. Here are your options:
- If the smell is only from the hot tap, then it is likely that the problem is with your water boiler and not with your water supply. If you haven’t used heater for a long time, bacteria propagate inside the boiler causing the smell to appear. It would be best to get your water heater cleaned and disinfected.
- If the problem is from both hot and cold taps but only from water treated through a water softener and not from untreated water, the problem is likely due to sulphur bacteria in your water softener. In that case, replacing your water softener would work out fine.
- If you notice a strong smell from both hot and cold tap, the problem is due to hydrogen sulphide present in well. The best option, in that case, is to get it treated by a water treatment company.
The Treatment Options
If sulphur is detected in your water test, the best way to remove rotten eggs smell would be to contact a water treatment company. At Celtic Water Solutions, we usually, recommend the best treatment equipment after analysing all the components of the test results. For sulphur treatment, we usually recommend an aeration system that adds oxygen in the water. Oxygen reacts with hydrogen sulphide to form a tasteless and odourless particle. The compressed air is forced into the water and allowed to escape before it feeds the tap. An activated carbon filter is also recommended which adsorbs the gas on its surface. It polishes the water and removes even slightest traces of hydrogen sulphide gas from water. Depending on the levels of sulphur contamination, the carbon filter will require periodic replacement. If you witness any anything wrong with your water, the supply of water from your private well may be contaminated. Just contact us and we’ll assist you in deciding which treatment option would suit you.