Sulfur Bacteria In Well Water

In some cases the odor will only be.

Sulfur bacteria in well water.

When sulfur gets into groundwater naturally occurring bacteria can reduce the organic sulfite ores and produce hydrogen sulfide gas. Often keeps odors away for 1 2 months. Pure water is tasteless but water is a strong natural solvent and will dissolve minerals that may give it an odor or flavor. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that can exist naturally in groundwater.

Chlorine is toxic to coliforms and is the most common type of water disinfection agent. Install a chlorine injector system chlorinator on your wellhead for continuous injection of chlorine when the water is running. 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. Scary fact 2 sulfur is found in.

When you smell the odor of sulfur in your water that lets you know that you re ingesting the waste of bacteria. Scary fact 1 bacteria that live in soil use sulfur as a food or energy source. When coliforms are present the treatment is usually to chlorinate the system. Sulfur bacteria can be difficult to remove once established in a well.

Chlorination eliminates the sulfur bacteria that cause the odor and combined with an air charger self. As with odors caused by iron bacteria the sulfur smell may only be noticeable when the water hasn t been run for several hours. Many well owners are immediately frightened by the thought of contaminants of any kind entering their water supply. 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.

Sulfur reducing bacteria which use sulfur as an energy source are the primary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide typically enters the well water through naturally occurring bacteria. These bacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide. It is perhaps more common in areas with shale or sandstone geology.

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. Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors. The most obvious sign of a sulfur bacteria problem is the distinctive rotten egg odor of hydrogen sulfide gas. Iron and sulfur bacteria in water.

Of the two types sulfur reducing bacteria are the more common. Below are a few facts to keep in mind regarding sulfur in your water. The bacteria then produce hydrogen sulfide gas.