Sulfur Reducing Bacteria In Well Water

These bacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide.

Sulfur reducing bacteria in well water.

Water softeners provide a convenient environment for these bacteria to grow. In this scenario the most likely source of the hydrogen sulfide is sulfate reducing bacteria srb s. Sulfur reducing bacteria live in oxygen deficient environments such as deep wells plumbing systems water softeners and water heaters. Iron and sulfur bacteria in water.

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. From pollution this is rare. Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that is produced naturally by decomposing organic material and sulfur reducing bacteria. Sulfur bacteria produce a slime and can help other bacteria grow such as iron bacteria.

Sulfur reducing bacteria live in oxygen deficient environments such as deep wells plumbing systems water softeners and water heaters. Install a chlorine injector system chlorinator on your wellhead for continuous injection of chlorine when the water is running. Sulfur reducing bacteria which use sulfur as an energy source are the primary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide. The slime can clog wells.

Hydrogen sulfide gives water a nuisance rotten egg smell and taste. When coliforms are present the treatment is usually to chlorinate the system. Odor in the cold water that goes away after water flows. A salt loving bacteria that uses sulfates as an energy source may produce a black slime inside water softeners.

Produced by certain sulfur bacteria in the groundwater well or plumbing system. The two most common species of these bacteria known scientifically as desulfovibrio desulfuricans or desulfotomaculum nigrificans can be the cause of severe pitting corrosion even on stainless steel components. These bacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide. The smcl for sulfate in drinking water is 250 milligrams per liter parts per million as established by the epa.

Chlorination eliminates the sulfur bacteria that cause the odor and combined with an air charger self. May help other bacteria grow. Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors. 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.

Sulfur reducing bacteria which use sulfur as an energy source are the primary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide. Produced by sulfur bacteria or chemical reactions inside of water heaters. Chlorine is toxic to coliforms and is the most common type of water disinfection agent. Often keeps odors away for 1 2 months.