Sulfur Bacteria In Well Water

Sulfur reducing bacteria live in oxygen deficient environments such as deep wells plumbing systems water softeners and water heaters.

Sulfur bacteria in well water.

Where does the sulfur come from. As with odors caused by iron bacteria the sulfur smell may only be noticeable when the water hasn t been run for several hours. Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors. Scary fact 1 bacteria that live in soil use sulfur as a food or energy source.

Hydrogen sulfide typically enters the well water through naturally occurring bacteria. These bacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide. Iron and sulfur bacteria in water. In some cases the odor will only be.

Chlorine is toxic to coliforms and is the most common type of water disinfection agent. Scary fact 2 sulfur is found in. Sulfur reducing bacteria which use sulfur as an energy source are the primary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide. Pure water is tasteless but water is a strong natural solvent and will dissolve minerals that may give it an odor or flavor.

Sulfur reducing bacteria produce sulfide in an anaerobic reaction in several ways including fermentation part of the rotting smell and as a form of respiration much as other bacteria and organisms use oxygen the more common process present in groundwater is sulfate reduction a form of respiration performed. The bacteria then produce hydrogen sulfide gas. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that can exist naturally in groundwater. Of the two types sulfur reducing bacteria are the more common.

When coliforms are present the treatment is usually to chlorinate the system. Sulfur bacteria can be difficult to remove once established in a well. Pre work such as scrubbing the well casing using special treatment chemicals and agitating the water before disinfection may be necessary especially if there are also iron bacteria. Many well owners are immediately frightened by the thought of contaminants of any kind entering their water supply.

Install a chlorine injector system chlorinator on your wellhead for continuous injection of chlorine when the water is running. Below are a few facts to keep in mind regarding sulfur in your water. Iron and sulfur bacteria are an annoyance more than a health hazard but they can be incredibly damaging to the plumbing systems that they grow in. When you smell the odor of sulfur in your water that lets you know that you re ingesting the waste of bacteria.

The most obvious sign of a sulfur bacteria problem is the distinctive rotten egg odor of hydrogen sulfide gas. Often keeps odors away for 1 2 months. It is perhaps more common in areas with shale or sandstone geology.