Sulfur Bacteria In Well Water

Of the two types sulfur reducing bacteria are the more common.

Sulfur bacteria in well water.

Sulfur reducing bacteria which use sulfur as an energy source are the primary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide. 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. Chlorine is toxic to coliforms and is the most common type of water disinfection agent. Where does the sulfur come from.

Sulfur bacteria can be difficult to remove once established in a well. Scary fact 1 bacteria that live in soil use sulfur as a food or energy source. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that can exist naturally in groundwater. 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. These bacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide. In some cases the odor will only be. Often keeps odors away for 1 2 months.

Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors. Iron and sulfur bacteria in water. When coliforms are present the treatment is usually to chlorinate the system. When you smell the odor of sulfur in your water that lets you know that you re ingesting the waste of bacteria.

Scary fact 2 sulfur is found in. Chlorination eliminates the sulfur bacteria that cause the odor and combined with an air charger self. Pure water is tasteless but water is a strong natural solvent and will dissolve minerals that may give it an odor or flavor. As with odors caused by iron bacteria the sulfur smell may only be noticeable when the water hasn t been run for several hours.

When sulfur gets into groundwater naturally occurring bacteria can reduce the organic sulfite ores and produce hydrogen sulfide gas. The most obvious sign of a sulfur bacteria problem is the distinctive rotten egg odor of hydrogen sulfide gas. The bacteria then produce hydrogen sulfide gas. It is perhaps more common in areas with shale or sandstone geology.

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. Many well owners are immediately frightened by the thought of contaminants of any kind entering their water supply.