Water Quality Testing: Drinking Water

The sulphide ion test for bacterial contamination is good. In surface waters, hydrogen sulphide is formed under oxygen deficient conditions. Hydrogen sulphide is also produced from the decomposition of sulphur containing organic compounds. The concentration of sulphide ion becomes significant only at pH 10 or above. Under acidic conditions, the concentration of hydrogen sulphide predominates. Hydrogen sulphide is a weak acid, which ionizes to yield hydrosulphide (HS_-) and sulphide (S2) ions. Hydrogen sulphide is extremely toxic to fish. Concentrations of total sulphide as low as 0.01 mg/L make the water unfit for uninhibited fish culture. Hydrogen sulphide also reduces the aesthetics value of the water body due to foul color. The bacterial contamination can be tested using H2S strip . The water to be tested is to be filled in the bottle having H2S strip, and keep it in the incubator ;at 35degree centigrade for 14 to 16 hours. If the strip becomes black then the water is not fit for human consumption as it is contaminated and bacterio logically not potable. This is the simple and quick method as it needs no sterilization. this is great, school teacher explaining water and its quality etc. In my earlier answers on drinking water quality had given some basic concept on water-quality which all can remember easily. I had explained C A T S which reads for: C- clean and clear, A- Alkaline about 7.5 T- taste appealing and pleasant S- sterile, as being ascertained for your case usingH2S strip-test. While doing this test to explain students, 1. pl do the test with good quality water and observe no discoluration even after say 12 hours, 2. also have some drain water sample and seen that the colur changes within an hour. 3. any others having medium contamination becomes discolured between 1 to12 hrs.

pl do a complete instructional cum demo exercise. These concepts form activity exercise under EVS-Environmental Studies lessons. In senior classes the demo can be dealt with remediation of water using simple Aquaguard and with UV etc. all the best

Is my water safe to drink?

If you do not monitor your water quality by having it tested at an accredited laboratory, you cannot tell whether your drinking water is safe or not.

Harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses are invisible to the naked eye, so water that looks and tastes good may not necessarily be safe to drink. These microbes can exist in both ground and surface water supplies, and can cause immediate health effects if not properly treated for.

Just because you are not getting sick does not mean that your water is safe. Certain chemical contaminants that are sometimes found in a water source can cause long term health problems that may take years to develop. This stresses the importance of having an effective treatment system in place to ensure that your water is being treated to a satisfactory level.

What tests should I have done on my drinking water and how often?

There are many useful tests available to help determine the health, safety and performance of your water supply depending upon its type and location. Your local health department can assist you in selecting tests important for assessing your drinking water.

A number of commercial laboratories carry different water quality packages that include a variety of tests to assess water potability.

Basic drinking and household use suitability

Basic Water Potability Test packages include tests for:

Coliform Bacteria Nitrate pH Sodium Chloride Fluoride Sulphate Iron Manganese Total Dissolved Solids Hardness

Coliform bacteria tests are used as an indicator test for the presence of microorganisms in the water that are potentially harmful to human health. Nitrate is a common contaminant found mainly in groundwater. High nitrate concentrations can be particularly dangerous for babies under six months, since nitrate interferes with ability of blood to carry oxygen. Ions such as sodium, chloride, sulphate, iron and manganese can impart objectionable taste or odor to water. Excessive amounts of sulfate can cause a laxative effect or gastrointestinal irritation, along with a noticeable taste. Excessive amounts of fluoride can cause dental problems. Total dissolved solids represent the amount of inorganic substances (e.g. iron, salts) that are dissolved in the water. High total dissolved solids (TDS) can reduce the palatability of water or cause health

problems if specific constituent elements are at high levels.

Other tests may be appropriate if there is a particular reason to suspect that a specific contaminant may be present or if additional background information is desired. Groundwater sources are sometimes tested for parameters such as arsenic, selenium and uranium. Both surface and groundwater sources are also sometimes tested for pesticide contamination.

Private drinking water supplies should undergo basic testing annually at a minimum. Drinking water supplies obtained from shallow wells and surface water sources should be tested more frequently, such as seasonally as they are highly susceptible to contamination.

If you have critical water treatment equipment it is important to test both your drinking water at the tap and your source water. The testing of both will help you interpret if your treatment system is performing correctly or whether the quality of your source water has changed.

The following is a list of additional potential tests that are sometimes tested for, depending on the detail of information required. Bicarbonate Hydroxide bromate Boron Calcium Magnesium Carbonate cyanide Tannin and lignin orthophosphate radon trihalomethanes

Conductivity Sulfide as hydrogen sulfide Total Alkalinity Chloride

Turbidity

Ammonia, as Potassium nitrogen

Sulfate reducing bacteria

Aluminum

Arsenic

Barium

Heterotrophic Plate Count

Cadmium Dissolved organic

Chromium Lead

Copper Selenium

E. Coli cyanobacteria

carbon Zinc True Colour Uranium pesticides Total phosphorous Faecal Coliform

Dissolved oxygen within 2 minutes Iron bacteria of collection

Here are some examples of water tests in Alberta and Saskatchewan:

Typical Alberta drinking water test suite to assess drinking water at the tap (Alberta Health Region labs)

Ground water test suite to assess a source water used as a drinking water supply (Saskatchewan Watershed Authority)

Surface water test suite to assess a source water used as a drinking water supply (Saskatchewan Watershed Authority)

Microbiological Indicators Laboratory results may provide information on levels of Total Coliforms, Escherichia coli (E-Coli), and Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) which are used as microbiological indicators of the microbiological quality of the water. This section will briefly outline the rationale for including these indicators and their significance. Total Coliform (TC)

The presence of Total Coliform bacteria may indicate contamination in a water supply. The presence of only Total Coliforms is not necessarily a health risk, but it does require a further investigation of the water system. The presence of any coliform bacteria indicates that the drinking water is potentially unsafe and unsatisfactory.

The absence of coliforms in a water supply is usually interpreted as evidence of safe drinking water. This indicates that the water is free of pathogens and contains a low risk of waterborne infectious disease.

Escherichia coli (EC / E. Coli) E. coli has been demonstrated to be a specific indicator for the presence of fecal (human or animal waste) contamination. This is a potentially dangerous situation. Immediate steps need to be taken to disinfect the water, remove the source of contamination or find an appropriate alternate source. Water containing E. Coli bacteria must not be consumed or used where the water could be a health hazard such. Even brushing your teeth with this water can pose a significant health risk.

Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) Although this test is not normally part of the standard testing for homeowners it can provide some useful information regarding the microbiological quality of your water. The HPC bacteria enumerates both aerobic and facultative aerobic bacteria found in water. These bacteria are not normally used as an indicator of disease, and bacteria in this group are not usually directly associated with a specific illness or disease. However, bacteria within the HPC can cause disease, both as primary pathogens and opportunistic pathogens. The HPC is useful for measuring changes during water treatment and distribution. It is valuable for checking quality of finished water in a distribution system as an indicator of microbial regrowth and sediment buildup in slow-flow sections and dead ends.

More comprehensive drinking and household use suitabilityGroundwater Recommendations for Testing Rural Water Sources for Drinking and Domestic Water Ground Water: test 2 times/year
N.B. For each Level, be sure to sample the water before any treatment devices.

Level A - Basic Ground Water Suite, 3 parameters + targeted problems This level of testing provides very little information but it is cheap (about $60), and much better than not having any tests at all. Sample and record water quality test results at least twice per year. Parameter Total Coliform Significance Identifies potential microbial contamination. If any Total Coliform are detected, then water should be re-tested and additionally tested for Faecal Coliform and E. Coli Nitrate Identifies potential contamination from nitrates, septic systems, corrals, etc. Total Dissolved Solids or Conductivity Other suspected problems Many wells have unique problems with such parameters as arsenic, iron, manganese, hardness, sulphate, sodium, etc. Identifies whether water is mineralized; levels above 500 mg/L indicate more comprehensive testing is needed for ions and salts

Level B - Operational Ground Water Suite, targeted parameters This is a focused suite to track source water quality problems and manage water treatment (about $60+ additional problems). The parameters recommended are those where problems were detected from the Level C Diagnostic Suite. On-site turbidity and dissolved oxygen are beneficial if possible.

Parameter Total Coliform

Significance Identifies potential microbial contamination. If any Total Coliform are detected, then water should be re-tested and additionally tested for Faecal Coliform and E. Coli

Total Dissolved Solids or Conductivity

Identifies TDS changes; significant changes (say more than 100 mg/L up or down) may identify change in water quality). Track and determine the reason for changes, and ensure the treatment process is not impaired by the change.

Turbidity

Turbidity testing at the time sampled (within 2 minutes of collection) should be similar; if Values differ, this may be an indicator the groundwater is under the influence of surface water, flooding, etc.

Parameters identified as problems from Level C Diagnostic Ground Water Suite

Regularly re-test any parameters that exceeded guidelines, as determined by the Level C Diagnostic Testing (e.g. arsenic, iron, manganese, hardness, sulphate, sodium, etc.)

Level C Diagnostic Ground Water Suite, 39 parameters

This suite is very similar to the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Rural Water Quality Advisory Program (The Saskatchewan suite is subsidized by the Province, which charges clients $100). This full cost of this diagnostic suite is around $400. It is very useful in determining initial water quality problems, and designing water treatment systems (effective treatment will subsequently pay future dividends because treatment success will be more likely.) On-site turbidity and dissolved oxygen are beneficial if possible. Bicarbonate Calcium Hydroxide Magnesium Sodium Carbonate pH Chloride Potassium Sulphide

TDS or Conductivity Sulphate

Sum of Ions Turbidity

Total Alkalinity

Total Hardness

True Colour

Ammonia, as nitrogen

Nitrate

Dissolved organic carbon

Aluminum Arsenic Cadmium Iron Zinc E. Coli Chromium Lead Uranium Heterotrophic Plate Count

Barium Copper Manganese Total Coliform Dissolved oxygen within 2 minutes of collection

Boron Fluoride Selenium Faecal Coliform

Surface Water Recommendations for Testing Rural Water Sources for Drinking and Domestic Water Surface Water: test 2 - 4 times/year
(and Ground Water Under Direct Influence of Surface Water: GWUDI): N.B. For each Level, be sure to sample the water before any treatment devices. N.B. If GWUDI is tested, other parameters may be necessary (e.g. arsenic)

Level A - Basic Surface Water Suite, 3 parameters + targeted problems This level of testing provides very little information but it is cheap (about $60), and much better than not having any tests at all. Sample and record water quality test results at least twice per year. Parameter Total Coliform Significance Identifies potential microbial contamination. If any Total Coliform are detected, then water should be re-tested and additionally tested for Faecal Coliform and E. Coli

Turbidity Total Dissolved Solids or Conductivity Other suspected problems

Identifies potential water quality change and contamination etc. Identifies whether water is mineralized; levels above 500 mg/L indicate more comprehensive testing is needed for ions and salts Many surface water sources have unique problems with such parameters as algae, chlorophyll a, iron, manganese, hardness, ammonia, nitrate, etc.

Level B - Operational Surface Water Suite, targeted parameters This suite is a focused suite to track source water quality problems and manage water treatment (about $60+ additional problems). The parameters recommended are those where problems were detected from the Level C Diagnostic Suite. On-site turbidity and dissolved oxygen are beneficial if possible. Parameter Total Coliform Significance Identifies potential microbial contamination. If any Total Coliform are detected, then water should be re-tested and additionally tested for Faecal Coliform and E. Coli Total Dissolved Solids or Identifies TDS changes; significant changes (say more than 100 mg/L Conductivity up or down) may identify change in water quality). Track and determine the reason for changes, and ensure the treatment process is not impaired by the change. Turbidity Turbidity testing at the time sampled (within 2 minutes of collection) should be similar; if Values differ, this may be an indicator the groundwater is under the influence of surface water, flooding, etc. Parameters identified as problems from Level C Diagnostic Surface Water Suite Regularly re-test any parameters that exceeded guidelines, as determined by the Level C Diagnostic Testing (e.g. arsenic, iron, manganese, hardness, sulphate, sodium, etc.)

Level C Diagnostic Surface Water Suite, 30 parameters This suite is very similar to Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Rural Water Quality Advisory Program (The Saskatchewan suite is subsidized by the Province, which charges clients $100). This full cost of this diagnostic suite is around $300. It is very useful in determining initial water quality problems, and designing water treatment systems (effective treatment will subsequently pay future dividends because treatment success will be more likely.) On-site turbidity and dissolved oxygen are beneficial if possible. Bicarbonate Hydroxide Sodium Total Alkalinity Ammonia, as nitrogen Dissolved Organic Iron Carbon Faecal Coliform Heterotrophic Plate Count Total Coliform Chlorophyll a Dissolved oxygen within 2 minutes of collection E. Coli Calcium Magnesium TDS or Conductivity Hardness Nitrate Carbonate pH Sulphate Chloride Potassium Sum of Ions

True Colour Turbidity Orthophosphate Manganese Total Phosphorus Mercury

Treated Water Recommendations for Testing Rural Water Sources for Drinking and Domestic Water Treated Water: Test water quality after the treatment system every time the source water is sampled (2 - 4 times/year)
Rationale for Testing After Treatment

Most water supplies will require some degree of treatment. For example, Environment Canada estimates that 20 to 40% of wells across the country have problems with coliform or nitrate. In Alberta and Saskatchewan, where ground water supplies tend to be mineralized, over 90% of the wells will exceed one or more Guideline for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Most of these problems are not health-related, but it is estimated that about 30% or more of privately-owned wells will have water quality problems that could affect human health.

Testing the water quality of untreated water sources helps people understand what water quality problems exist, and what measures can be taken to treat the water and manage the water supply.

It is equally important to test water quality after the water treatment system. This type of monitoring is necessary to ensure the treatment system is performing as designed, and to ensure the safety of the drinking water supplied in a rural or remote location.

The treated water tests should be done at the same time as the untreated water quality tests. Problems should be addressed immediately. Records should be kept. Should a water quality concern exist affecting health, consult a local public health inspector or doctor.

Treated Water Suite, targeted parameters This suite is a focused suite to track source water quality problems and manage water treatment. The parameters recommended are those where problems were detected from the Level C Diagnostic Suite. On-site turbidity and dissolved oxygen are beneficial if possible. Parameter Total Coliform Significance Identifies potential microbial contamination. If any Total Coliform are detected, then water should be re-tested and additionally tested for Faecal Coliform and E. Coli Total Dissolved Solids or Conductivity Identifies TDS changes; significant changes (say more than 100 mg/L up or down) may identify change in water quality). Track and determine the reason for changes, and ensure the

treatment process is not impaired by the change. Turbidity Turbidity testing at the time sampled (within 2 minutes of collection) should be similar; if Values differ, this may be an indicator the groundwater is under the influence of surface water, flooding, etc. Parameters identified as problems from Regularly re-test any parameters that exceeded guidelines, as determined by the Level C Diagnostic Testing

Level C Diagnostic Surface or (e.g. arsenic, iron, manganese, hardness, sulphate, sodium, etc.) Ground Water Suite N.B. It is beneficial to periodically test the Treated Water for the full Diagnostic Suite (say once every 3 or 4 years). This is a measure of safeguarding health and verifies treatment effectiveness.

Who's responsible for drinking water safety?

Privately owned water systems for individuals are not regulated by either the provincial or federal governments. It is the responsibility of the individual owner to ensure their water is of good quality.

Provincial agencies along with the local health department can provide information, advice, treatment options and interpretation of water quality analyses, but ultimately the final selection and cost associated with either bottled water or water treatment devices, including maintenance and follow-up sampling, are the responsibility of the individual owner.

Individuals accessing or purchasing water from a source other than their own private supply, such as from a pipeline or tankloader, should understand the quality of the water and their agreement with the supplier. Once again, it is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that the proper water treatment and safety measures are in place, unless the water supplier is guaranteeing potable drinking water.

Sources of Sulfate and Hydrogen Sulfide in Drinking Water

Sulfates and Hydrogen Sulfide

Sulfates are a combination of sulfur and oxygen and are a part of naturally occurring minerals in some soil and rock formations that contain groundwater. The mineral dissolves over time and is released into groundwater. Sulfur-reducing bacteria, which use sulfur as an energy source, are the primary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide. These bacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur-reducing bacteria live in oxygen-deficient environments such as deep wells, plumbing systems, water softeners and water heaters. These bacteria usually flourish on the hot water side of a water distribution system. Hydrogen sulfide gas also occurs naturally in some groundwater. It is formed from decomposing underground deposits of organic matter such as decaying plant material. It is found in deep or shallow wells and also can enter surface water through springs, although it quickly escapes to the atmosphere. Hydrogen sulfide often is present in wells drilled in shale or sandstone, or near coal or peat deposits or oil fields. Occasionally, a hot water heater is a source of hydrogen sulfide odor. The magnesium corrosion control rod present in many hot water heaters can chemically reduce naturally occurring sulfates to hydrogen sulfide.

Indications of Sulfate and Hydrogen Sulfide

Sulfate

Sulfate minerals can cause scale buildup in water pipes similar to other minerals and may be associated with a bitter taste in water that can have a laxative effect on humans and young livestock. Elevated sulfate levels in combination with chlorine bleach can make cleaning clothes difficult. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria produce effects similar to those of iron bacteria. They convert sulfide into sulfate, producing a dark slime that can clog plumbing and/or stain clothing. Blackening of water or dark slime coating the inside of toilet tanks may indicate a sulfuroxidizing bacteria problem. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are less common than sulfur-reducing bacteria.
Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide gas produces an offensive "rotten egg" or "sulfur water" odor and taste in the water. In some cases, the odor may be noticeable only when the water is initially turned on or when hot water is run. Heat forces the gas into the air which may cause the odor to be especially offensive in a shower. Occasionally, a hot water heater is a source of hydrogen sulfide odor. The

magnesium corrosion control rod present in many hot water heaters can chemically reduce naturally occurring sulfates to hydrogen sulfide. A nuisance associated with hydrogen sulfide includes its corrosiveness to metals such as iron, steel, copper and brass. It can tarnish silverware and discolor copper and brass utensils. Hydrogen sulfide also can cause yellow or black stains on kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Coffee, tea and other beverages made with water containing hydrogen sulfide may be discolored and the appearance and taste of cooked foods can be affected. High concentrations of dissolved hydrogen sulfide also can foul the resin bed of an ion exchange water softener. When a hydrogen sulfide odor occurs in treated water (softened or filtered) and no hydrogen sulfide is detected in the non-treated water, it usually indicates the presence of some form of sulfate-reducing bacteria in the system. Water softeners provide a convenient environment for these bacteria to grow. A "salt-loving" bacteria, that uses sulfates as an energy source, may produce a black slime inside water softeners.

Potential Health Effects

Sulfate

Sulfate may have a laxative effect that can lead to dehydration and is of special concern for infants. With time, people and young livestock will become acclimated to the sulfate and the symptoms disappear. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria pose no known human health risk. The Maximum contaminate level is 250 mg/L.
Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide is flammable and poisonous. Usually it is not a health risk at concentrations present in household water, except in very high concentrations. While such concentrations are rare, hydrogen sulfide's presence in drinking water when released in confined areas has been known to cause nausea, illness and, in extreme cases, death. Water with hydrogen sulfide alone does not cause disease. In rare cases, however, hydrogen sulfide odor may be from sewage pollution which can contain disease-producing contaminants. Therefore, testing for bacterial contamination and Sulfate Reducing Bacteria is highly recommended.

Water Testing
Sulfate

The Option 1 testing kit includes the sulfate test, but for sulfur problems the laboratory must be notified to provide a special container that has a chemical preservative. The testing kits include the sampling instructions, a questionnaire, and information on returning the sample. Hydrogen Sulfide- If this is a problem that laboratory must be told in advance to provide the necessary sampling container with preservatives. Since hydrogen sulfide is a gas that is dissolved in water and can vaporize (escape) from it, laboratory analysis of hydrogen sulfide in water requires the sample be stabilized immediately

following collection. Since the odor may be caused by a number of factors, it is critical that the questionnaire be completed and it is highly recommended that both the Option 1 and Option 3 water testing packages are conducted..

Interpreting Sulfate and Hydrogen Sulfide Test Results

Sulfate

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for drinking water fall into two categories -- Primary Standards and Secondary Standards. Primary Standards are based on health considerations and are designed to protect people from three classes of toxic pollutants -pathogens, radioactive elements and toxic chemicals. Secondary Standards are based on taste, odor, color, corrosivity, foaming and staining properties of water. Sulfate is classified under the secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) standards. The SMCL for sulfate in drinking water is 250 milligrams per liter (mg/l), sometimes expressed as 250 parts per million (ppm).
Hydrogen Sulfide

Although many impurities are regulated by Primary or Secondary Drinking Water Standards set by the EPA, hydrogen sulfide is not regulated because a concentration high enough to be a drinking water health hazard also makes the water unpalatable. The odor of water with as little as 0.5 ppm of hydrogen sulfide concentration is detectable by most people. Concentrations less than 1 ppm give the water a "musty" or "swampy" odor. A 1-2 ppm hydrogen sulfide concentration gives water a "rotten egg" odor and makes the water very corrosive to plumbing. Generally, hydrogen sulfide levels are less than 10 ppm, but have been reported as high as 50 to 75 ppm.

Options
If excessive sulfate or hydrogen sulfide is present in your water supply, you have three basic options: 1) Obtain an alternate water supply, bottled water, or use some type of treatment to remove the impurity. The need for an alternate water supply or should be established before making an investment in treatment equipment or an alternate supply. Based the decision the results of a chemical analysis water, by a reputable laboratory, and after consulting with your physician to help you evaluate the level of risk. It may be possible to obtain a satisfactory alternate water supply by drilling a new well in a different location or a shallower or deeper well in a different aquifer. 2)Another alternate source of water is bottled water that can be purchased in stores or direct from bottling companies. This alternative might be considered especially when the primary concern is water for food preparation and drinking.

3)The typical recommendation is the installation of a whole-house treatment system. The section of the most cost effective system is a function of the overall water quality, cause of the sulfur odor, and other water treatment issues.
Sulfate Treatment

Several methods of removing sulfate from water are available. The treatment method selected depends on many factors including the level of sulfate in the water, the amount of iron and manganese in the water, and if bacterial contamination also must be treated. The option you choose also depends on how much water you need to treat. For treating small quantities of water (drinking and cooking only) the typical methods may be distillation or reverse osmosis. The most common method of treating large quantities of water is ion exchange. This process works similar to a water softener. Ion-exchange resin, contained inside the unit, adsorbs sulfate. When the resin is loaded to full capacity with sulfate, treatment ceases. The resin then must be "regenerated" with a salt (sodium chloride) brine solution before further treatment can occur. Distillation boils water to form steam that is then cooled and then recondense the water. Minerals, such as sulfate, do not vaporize with the steam and are left behind in the boiling chamber. Reverse osmosis membranes have a porosity that permits water molecules to pass through but leaves the large ions in solution.
Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide may be temporarily controlled by conducting a shock chlorination / disinfection of the well or water source. Please visit the Shock Chlorination page to get more information on this protocol. If the problem with the well is because of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria, a high level of chlorination, mixing, and turbulence may be needed. If hydrogen sulfide odor is associated primarily with the hot water system, a hot water heater modification may reduce the odor. Replacing the water heater's magnesium corrosion control rod with one made of aluminum or another metal may improve the situation. To remove low levels of hydrogen sulfide, install an activated carbon filter. The filter must be replaced periodically to maintain performance. Frequency of replacement will depend on daily water use and concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the water. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations up to about 5 to 7 ppm can be removed using an oxidizing filter. These filters are similar to the units used for iron treatment . This filter contains sand with a manganese dioxide coating that changes hydrogen sulfide gas to tiny particles of sulfur that are trapped inside the filter. The sand filter must be backwashed regularly and treated with potassium permanganate to maintain the coating. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations exceeding 7 to 10 ppm can be removed by injecting an oxidizing chemical such as household bleach or potassium permanganate followed up by filtration. The oxidizing chemical should enter the water upstream from the storage or mixing tank to provide at least 30- 45 minutes of contact

time between the chemical and water. The length of the holding time is a function of the chemical dosage, tank configuration, and water temperature. Sulfur particles can then be removed using a sediment filter and the excess chlorine can be removed by activated carbon filtration. When potassium permanganate is used a manganese greensand filter is recommended. Often the treatment for hydrogen sulfide is the same as for iron and manganese, for more information please visit the iron and manganese webpage.

In Closing
Sulfates and hydrogen sulfide are both common nuisance contaminants. Although neither is usually a significant health hazard, sulfates can have a temporary laxative effect on humans and young livestock. Sulfates also may clog plumbing and stain clothing. Hydrogen sulfide produces an offensive "rotten egg" odor and taste in the water, especially when the water is heated. Treatment options depend on the form and quantities in which sulfates and/or hydrogen sulfide occur in untreated water- Therefore, it is critical that a comprehensive water analysis be conducted.. Small quantities of sulfate may be removed from water using distillation or reverse osmosis, while large quantities may be removed using ion exchange treatment. Hydrogen sulfide gas may be associated with the presence of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria. Hydrogen sulfide may be reduced or removed by shock chlorination, water heater modification, activated carbon filtration, oxidizing filtration or oxidizing chemical injection. Often treatment for hydrogen sulfide is the same as for iron and manganese, allowing the removal of all three contaminants in one process.