Common Water Problems: Sulfur

Your home’s water supply can have many issues depending upon the area in which you live. As a universal solvent, water absorbs a little of almost everything it comes in contact with. Unfortunately, this results in a less than desirable water quality.

A common water problem for many homeowners is sulfur. Sulfur is a colorless gas that causes damage to plumbing and gives off an offensive “rotten egg” odor. Sources of this gas include the decaying of organic matter or chemical reactions with sulfur-containing minerals in soil and rock.

So, as a homeowner, should you be worried about sulfur in your water supply? Yes. In addition to the hydrogen sulfide gas they produce, sulfur-reducing bacteria also generate slime that can promote the growth of other bacteria and clog wells and plumbing. Hydrogen sulfide gas may also cause black staining of silverware and plumbing fixtures and can corrode pipes.

To prevent the damaging effects of sulfur in your water supply, a homeowner can explore whole-house water treatment options such as a water softener system. Some water softeners, such as a Hague Quality Water’s customizable WaterMax water treatment system, can effectively treat sulfur issues in a home’s water supply up to 5 ppm (parts per million).

Determining the source of the sulfur problem is important in deciding the appropriate method of treatment. To do this, contact a local water treatment dealership and request a complete water analysis be done on a sample of your home’s water. Often, dealerships such as those selling Hague Quality Water products, conduct water analyses at no cost to the homeowner.