Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Drinking Water:
Sulfur (Sulfate and Hydrogen Sulfide)
Sharon O. Skipton, Extension Water Quality Educator
Bruce I. Dvorak, Environmental Infrastructure Engineer
Wayne Woldt, Water and Environmental Engineer
This NebGuide reviewed the sources of sulfur in This revision is based on earlier versions by David L.
drinking water and recommended testing and treatment Varner, Extension Educator; Sharon O. Skipton, Extension
practices. Water Quality Educator; Paul J. Jasa, Extension Engineer;
Sulfate and hydrogen sulfide are both common nui- DeLynn Hay, former Extension Water Resources Special-
sance contaminants. Although neither is usually a signifi- ist; and Bruce I. Dvorak, Environmental Infrastructure
cant health hazard, sulfates can have a temporary laxative Engineer.
effect on humans. 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. This publication has been peer reviewed.
Treatment options depend on the form and quantities in
which sulfates and/or hydrogen sulfide occur in untreated
water. Small quantities of sulfate may be removed from
water using distillation or reverse osmosis, while large
quantities may be removed using ion exchange treat- UNL Extension publications are available online
ment. at http://extension.unl.edu/publications.
Hydrogen sulfide may be reduced or removed by acti
vated carbon filtration, oxidizing filtration or oxidizing
chemical injection. Shock chlorination or water heater
modification may be effective in some situations.
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