Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Instructions

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless toxic gas infamous for its malodorous scent--in fact, it is the gas that gives rotten eggs their characteristic smell. At low concentrations, hydrogen sulfide is merely a nuisance. At levels above 500 parts per million, however, hydrogen sulfide can quickly cause loss of consciousness followed by death. Trace hydrogen sulfide in well water is a common problem that, while seldom a health risk in itself, can point to the presence of other more serious hazards. If you suspect your water is tainted, you can follow the steps below to identify and fix the problem.

Things You'll Need

• Hydrogen sulfide test kit (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Buy a test kit if you want to check the level of hydrogen sulfide in your water. While not necessary to identify the source, a test kit can help you determine the extent of the problem and whether other contaminants are present. Some home improvement stores offer water quality testing kits; check with your local supply store for details.

• 2

  Send a water sample to an environmental testing laboratory like TestAmerica. Most labs will charge between $20-$50 per test and will check for hydrogen sulfide, sulfates, sulfur bacteria and other contaminants. While this test is not entirely necessary either, it offers the same benefits as buying your own test kit, so it's an alternate option if you want to test your water without purchasing your own equipment.

• 3

  Turn on the cold, then the hot tap. If hydrogen sulfide is present, you will notice an unmistakable whiff of rotting eggs. The human sense of smell rapidly becomes desensitized to hydrogen sulfide, so check your water after you have been out of the house for a while. The smell will usually be stronger with hot water than cold water since hydrogen sulfide is less soluble in hot water.

• 4

  Identify the source. If the smell is only associated with hot water, your hot water heater is at fault; proceed to step 5. If both hot and cold water smell like rotting eggs but the smell diminishes over time, there are sulfur bacteria in the well or distribution system; proceed to step 6. If the scent is present in both hot and cold water and does not diminish over time, the gas may be naturally present in the groundwater; proceed to step 7.

• 5

  Fix your hot water heater by replacing the magnesium rod, if it has one, and flushing with chlorine bleach. Magnesium rods can catalyze a chemical reaction in the water that produces hydrogen sulfide--replace the magnesium rod with an aluminum one to solve this problem. Sulfur bacteria in the water heater are another common culprit. Flush the water heater with chlorine bleach to kill the bacteria.

• 6

  Disinfect the well and distribution system by flushing it with a strong chlorine solution--this can often be a fairly involved job, so contact a professional well specialist if you lack the necessary expertise. If the well water is tainted with hydrogen sulfide, it means sulfur bacteria are present and might even indicate sewage contamination. Have the water tested by an environmental testing lab if you're worried sewage contamination is a possibility.

• 7

  Install a filter, like an activated carbon filter or an oxidation-filtration system, if the gas is naturally present in the groundwater. These devices will remove the hydrogen sulfide from your drinking water but can be fairly expensive. Consult a local home improvement store for more details.