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Health Effects From High Sulfate Water

Sulfate is something every human and animal needs in their diet---in small quantities. Sulfate is a microscopic substance that enters your water supply through precipitation and can eventually become lodged into stone, entering rivers and streams over time. Since sulfate is not regulated as a primary drinking water contaminant, there is no specific definition between healthy and unhealthy levels.

  1. Where Sulfate Comes From

    • Sulfate enters your water supply through precipitation. According to Lenntech Water Treatment Supply, "Sulfate (SO4) can be found in almost all natural water. The origin of most sulfate compounds is the oxidation of sulfite ores, the presence of shales, or the industrial wastes."

    Questions About Quantity

    • Since sulfate is not considered a true contaminant, there is no definite threshold for healthy levels of consumption or unhealthy levels. However, scientists have discovered a level of intake that they consider safe. "The Environmental Protection Agency currently has a secondary drinking-water standard of 250 milligrams per liter (mg/L) sulfate." It's worth noting that water high in sulfate often has a raw egg smell and can have a medicinal taste.

    Potential Health Concerns

    • Consuming small amounts of sulfate is not harmful. However, consuming high levels of sulfate can cause a variety of physical discomforts such as upset stomach and diarrhea, which can lead to further health concerns. The negative effects of consuming water high in sulfate is especially present in certain populations. Children, babies, and travelers are more vulnerable than others to water high in sulfate. These laxative effects can also be observed in small animals that ingest water high in sulfate. Consumption of water high in sulfate can lead to dehydration in humans and animals alike.

    Conclusions

    • Consuming water with high levels of sulfate is generally uncommon and easy to avoid if the taste and smell of the water seem suspicious. However, if you use well water or are traveling, it's worth being vigilant -- if the water smells bad or tastes "off" to you, don't drink it. Getting high levels of sulfate removed from a water supply isn't easy. Sulfate can be removed from a water supply by reverse osmosis, distillation, or ion exchange. Unfortunately, carbon filters, water softeners, and sediment filters can't remove sulfate. Fortunately, sulfate-rich water supplies aren't widespread. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "about 3 percent of the public drinking water systems in the country may have sulfate levels of 250 mg/L or greater."

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