Sulfur Bacteria In Well Water

Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors.

Sulfur bacteria in well water.

Iron and sulfur bacteria in water. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that can exist naturally in groundwater. Scary fact 1 bacteria that live in soil use sulfur as a food or energy source. As with odors caused by iron bacteria the sulfur smell may only be noticeable when the water hasn t been run for several hours.

Sulfur bacteria can be difficult to remove once established in a well. In some cases the odor will only be. Of the two types sulfur reducing bacteria are the more common. 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.

Below are a few facts to keep in mind regarding sulfur in your water. Hydrogen sulfide typically enters the well water through naturally occurring bacteria. Sulfur reducing bacteria which use sulfur as an energy source are the primary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide. When coliforms are present the treatment is usually to chlorinate the system.

Where does the sulfur come from. It is perhaps more common in areas with shale or sandstone geology. 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.

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. Pure water is tasteless but water is a strong natural solvent and will dissolve minerals that may give it an odor or flavor. The bacteria then produce hydrogen sulfide gas. These bacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide.

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 sulfur gets into groundwater naturally occurring bacteria can reduce the organic sulfite ores and produce hydrogen sulfide gas. Because objectionable stains tastes or odors may be due to other causes including sulfate hydrogen sulfide or other nuisance organisms like sulfur bacteria proper identification of chemical substances and microorganisms in well water is the first step and should be done by a state certified laboratory. Install a chlorine injector system chlorinator on your wellhead for continuous injection of chlorine when the water is running.

Often keeps odors away for 1 2 months. Chlorine is toxic to coliforms and is the most common type of water disinfection agent. Many well owners are immediately frightened by the thought of contaminants of any kind entering their water supply.