How to rid water of the smell of hydrogen sulfide. Unpleasant smell of water: causes and ways to eliminate it

What is hydrogen sulfide and where does it come from?

This is a gas with a very unpleasant odor, which is formed during the decay of proteinaceous organisms. That is why it is characterized as the smell of rotten chicken eggs. This gaseous substance is colorless and has a sweetish taste. Quite often found in groundwater.

SMELL OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN WATER - CAUSES AND SOLUTION

The second reason for the occurrence of hydrogen sulfide smell may be nearby deposits of sulfide ores containing iron sulfide. There is a process of saturation of water with hydrosulfide and sulfide ions.

What are the effects of this gas on humans?

H2S is formed during the decay of precisely those proteins that contain the amino acids sulfur-containing methionine and cysteine. It is a very toxic substance. Inhalation of air with a low content of hydrogen sulfide causes headache, dizziness, nausea, pain in the epigastric region, conjunctivitis, blurred vision. If you get a large dose of a substance at a high concentration, the consequences will be very dangerous. This will lead to coma, convulsions, pulmonary edema and even death. At high concentration, even one breath can lead to instant death.

An interesting fact is that when inhaled at a high level, hydrogen sulfide paralyzes the olfactory nerve and the smell ceases to be felt almost immediately.

The smell of hydrogen sulfide in the water from the well

The gas that occurs in underground sources is predominantly of inorganic origin. This occurs as a result of the decomposition of sulfides by acidic waters, and the process of sulfate reduction by sulfate-reducing bacteria also occurs.

Why can the smell of hydrogen sulfide appear in the well after a while?

Sometimes there are cases when, after more than three years, this unpleasant odor appears in the water from the well. Usually this is due to a violation of the tightness of the casing pipes. This happens at the joints and then the water is saturated with hydrosulfide and sulfide ions, which leads to the formation of an unpleasant odor and the need to clean the well.

The consequences of the influence of hydrogen sulfide on technology

This substance is a general cellular and catalytic poison. When combined with iron, a black precipitate of ferrous sulfide (FeS) is formed. This forms black deposits in piping, plumbing and other contact surfaces. Hydrogen sulfide has the ability to corrode the metal components of pipes, tanks, boilers, and so on.
In order to choose the right method of water purification from hydrogen sulfide, it is necessary to establish the exact cause of its occurrence. To do this, it is necessary to conduct a complete bacteriological and chemical analysis of the source liquid. Because when water stinks of hydrogen sulfide, its practical use is significantly limited, especially for domestic purposes.

Very often, consumers of water from a well complain that it is the water from the boiler that stinks of hydrogen sulfide. Along with the lack of smell in the cold. This is due to a number of factors:

low concentration of iron, which leads to accumulation and reactions;

destruction of the magnesium anode in the boiler due to soft water, which usually occurs after the installation of a chemical softening system;

water with the smell of hydrogen sulfide exacerbates the smell when heated;

What are the methods of water purification from hydrogen sulfide?

With the availability of modern equipment and technology today, it is not difficult to remove hydrogen sulfide from water. It all depends on the quality and composition of the water, on the basis of which the cleaning method is selected.

Physical method - aeration

This method is also used for the oxidation of various dissolved metals such as iron, manganese, ammonium. And also for the oxidation of organic and volatile contaminants. Aeration is used to purify water from a well only from molecular hydrogen sulfide. This can be called blowing out poisonous gas by saturating the water with oxygen. Aeration is a rather long process, which is divided into two types.

Non-pressure aeration method

This option implies an aeration tank in which a showering system, nozzles or a non-pressure ejector are installed. Water enters the storage tank, in which the process of spraying water is carried out, which accelerates the process of oxidation of gases and metals.

This is the simplest natural method is not 100% effective. The disadvantages of this method are the bulkiness of the equipment and the duration of the process. Plus, oxidized substances precipitate and require cleaning of the storage tank 2 to 4 times a year.

This method can be attributed to the removal of hydrogen sulfide from water with your own hands, since it is not difficult to install a container and a spray system.

Pressure aeration method

In this embodiment, a special column or static mixer is implied. They act as a contact chamber in which everything happens. The oxygen-saturated mixture under pressure enters the column through a special tube where intensive oxidation takes place. Thus, in addition to oxidation, excess air and dissolved gases are removed - hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, methane and others.

Aeration methods are not practical due to the constant odor content in the room where the process takes place. Plus, they require an additional pump and are more bulky, since space is needed to install a storage tank.

But aeration is not enough for complete removal!

This whole process gives the water an unpleasant taste and smell, because it is impossible to fully purify water only by pressure aeration. Therefore, it is necessary to oxidize the dissolved oxygen with the remaining hydrogen sulfide by means of a special catalytic filter material. Thus, it is oxidized to sulfur, which is retained in the layer of iron-reducing material.

Chemical removal methods

This process consists in the use of strong oxidizing agents such as sodium hypochlorite, potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide or ozone. Thus, the oxidation of gas molecules occurs.

Sodium hypochlorite process

The chemical concentrate is dosed into the filter column, which is diluted with distilled water. A special dosing pump in a given proportion adds a reagent to the water. The presence of a pulse counter very strictly controls the level of frequency of supply of sodium hypochlorite. Getting into the water, the reagent oxidizes the compounds of iron and manganese. It also destroys organic compounds and hydrogen sulfide.

Using this method for domestic use is not practical due to the use of a chemical reagent and the constant need for distilled water.

Hydrogen peroxide process

This is an alternative process to oxidation with sodium hypochlorite. This is a more environmentally friendly and safe option. After all, hypochlorite can form toxic chlorine derivatives that are resistant to biochemical oxidation. The dosing system is similar to the process described above.

Ozone Process

Ozone generation plants are used in the field of water treatment in many areas. Gaseous ozone is the strongest oxidizing agent in nature. It is able to oxidize dissolved iron, remove hydrogen sulfide, viruses and bacteria. Because ozone is an active form of oxygen, so its excess turns into ordinary oxygen. This is the strongest sterilizer that is capable of what other methods of disinfection, such as UV radiation or chlorination, are not available.

Ozone systems are quite expensive equipment, but they do not require any reagents and special maintenance, as they generate ozone from the air.

All of the above methods involve the use at high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the source liquid and wastewater treatment.

Catalytic method of water purification from hydrogen sulfide - the most popular!

It is used both in systems for economic and domestic purposes, and in commercial systems. The principle of this method is the passage of water through.
is a filtering medium that ensures the occurrence of catalytic reactions on the surface of particles. When water passes through such material, hydrogen sulfide, surfactants and oil products are captured. The unique technological processing of coal-based material tends to oxidize dissolved iron and retain it. This happens according to the principle as in.

The material has a high adsorption capacity for pollutants. When the loading resource is exhausted, the material is washed by the method of reverse loosening with source water. Washing filters with this type of loading does not require reagents for regeneration. Such column filters operate in automatic mode under control, which is adjusted by a specialist depending on the concentration of substances in the water.

The most popular Centaur coal!

(Chemviron Carbon USA) has high abrasion resistance, has the special properties of carbon pores. This allows contaminants to penetrate deeper into the particle structure. Due to its high mechanical strength, it has an improved ability to regenerate.

Filters based on Centaur catalytic carbon are successfully used in groundwater treatment for various purposes. Effective use of such filters involves their use in . Since our waters are rich in iron, it is recommended to install a carbon filter after the iron removal system, which increases its efficiency and resource for hydrogen sulfide.

Autonomous water supply of a private house is a way out in a situation where centralized is impossible. But at the same time, water purification has to be taken into your own hands. There is an opinion that if you drill a deep well, the water from it will be perfectly clean in any case. But often there is such a problem as the smell of hydrogen sulfide. Such water is not only unpleasant to drink and use, but also very dangerous. In this article, we will look at why well water smells of hydrogen sulfide and how to deal with it.

Causes of hydrogen sulfide in water

Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that is dissolved in water. Its cause is the decomposition of the protein due to bacteria present in the liquid. Hydrogen sulfide itself is quite toxic and its use with water can lead to unpleasant consequences and even death.

Sulfur bacteria, as a rule, live in places where oxygen does not enter. This may be the muddy bottom of the well or those layers of soil that are isolated from all sides, that is, artesian deposits.

There can be several reasons for the occurrence of this gas in water:

• The presence of silt on the bottom or walls of the well.
• An increase in the number of bacteria as a result of precipitation.
• Violation of the tightness of pipes, which leads to the infiltration of bacteria through their walls from the outside and the appearance of hydrogen sulfide in the water.
• The ingress of sulphurous ores into water during well drilling. At the same time, such a smell of water will appear almost immediately after the work is completed.
• Penetration into the well of those waters that are contaminated with hydrogen sulfide of industrial origin.

Important! Most often, hydrogen sulfide compounds are observed in the water that is extracted from artesian wells.

The danger of hydrogen sulfide in water

You should not think that the hydrogen sulfide smell from water is simply unpleasant, but you can use such a liquid. Its presence can cause a lot of negative moments and a real danger to a person.

This substance can cause dizziness, fatigue, constant fatigue, various allergic reactions, and vomiting. A high concentration of volatile hydrogen sulfide in the air affects the mucous membranes of the eyes, causes fainting and intoxication of the whole organism.

In addition, hydrogen sulfide has a negative effect on metal elements in the water supply system, leading to their corrosion.

From the foregoing, we can conclude that this dangerous substance must be dealt with at the first sign of its presence in the water.

Water treatment options

But what to do if the water from the well smells of hydrogen sulfide? In order to purify water from hydrogen sulfide, it is necessary to install special units. There are a great many cleaning methods, you can choose the right one based on the analysis of the liquid, detecting the presence of bacteria, viruses and other compounds in it. This analysis can only be carried out by a specialized laboratory.

Before carrying out global clean-up activities, independent actions are taken to get rid of the hydrogen sulfide smell. First of all, it is necessary to clean the walls of the water supply system from sulfur deposits. If everything is done correctly, then the problem of the smell of water from the well can disappear for up to 3 years.

Pumping water can also help to remove clay and sand accumulations from the bottom of the well. This will help eliminate most of the sulfur bacteria that are there.

If it is suspected that the casing has lost its tightness, this must be repaired. After the preliminary cleaning is completed, you can begin to eliminate the hydrogen sulfide smell.

Physical aeration method

This method is one of the most common and effective. This requires the installation of special gas eliminators. These include devices with pressure, which are small devices that help to provide water in small quantities in the shortest possible time and saturate it with oxygen. Such devices are installed in technical rooms on the ground floor of the house or in the basement.

There are also units without pressure, which are leaky plastic containers. They are needed in order to oxygenate the water that enters through special entrances. To speed up the process, a compression-type supercharger is mounted inside the device.

Chemical disinfection methods

This method is the purification of water from gas using active components such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorite. The result of the purification process is the deposition of solids in the water, which are removed by passing the water through the filters.

Consider the main methods of chemical degassing:

Decontamination of sorption type

This method involves the use of special sorbents - materials that allow faster oxidation processes in the hydrogen sulfide compound. This procedure is time consuming.

As active sorbents, natural charcoal or activated charcoal in granules is used. These materials are distinguished by high quality characteristics, which help to make water free from hydrogen sulfide impurities as efficiently as possible.

You can choose the appropriate sorbent variant based on the size and structure of microscopic pores, as well as on the type of oxide elements that will be formed as a result.

Very often, the problem of hydrogen sulfide smell appears when water is heated. This suggests that there is a mass of salt deposits on the heating elements, which contribute to the development of microorganisms. To solve this problem, you need to thoroughly clean the heating unit and use a high-quality sorbent-based filter.

Conclusion

The presence of the smell of hydrogen sulfide in the water from the well is a big problem, as it can cause a large number of unpleasant consequences. That is why it is worth fighting this substance by all known methods that are described in this article. For complete disinfection, it is necessary to carry out a whole range of measures, as a result of which it is possible to obtain completely clean water in the well, suitable not only for use for technical purposes, but also for human consumption.

Causes of the smell of water from the well. Ways to clean the source to remove an unpleasant odor. How to get rid of hydrogen sulfide in liquid? Elimination of the smell of iron and other chemical elements.

The main causes of bad water odor

Thick layers of soil above the aquifer are a good filter, trapping most contaminants. But, seeping from the surface through numerous layers, the liquid is saturated with salts and collects many microorganisms with different properties. Therefore, even deep artesian wells cannot guarantee 100% water purity.

There are even more various impurities in sand wells. Metals, salts, oxides and other compounds make the liquid a chemically active substance, and in certain combinations they change its color, taste, and smell.

In addition, organic matter (algae, terrestrial plants), after entering the well, begin to rot and emit strong-smelling gases: geosmines, mercaptans, dimethyl disulfides. By this aroma, a good specialist can even judge the chemical composition of water. When it appears, you must stop using the source and find out the cause of the problem.

Substances that change aroma are called odorants. All of them are divided into two groups: natural and artificial. The first includes putrefactive, swampy, earthy smells. To the other - those that are released after falling into the well of agricultural products (fertilizers) or industrial effluents.

The table below provides information on what water most often smells like:

Smell	Causes	Danger	Elimination Method
Rotten eggs	The presence of hydrogen sulfide in water	Very harmful to the body	Cleaning the source, using degassing devices
Swampy (musty, woody, earthy smell)	The presence of organic matter in the source	Weak, drinking liquid is unpleasant	Well cleaning, application of coal filters
Septic tank or detergents	Ingress of sewage into the well	Medium	Sewer repair, source cleaning, use of a carbon filter or reverse osmosis
Gasoline or oil products	Proximity to oil layers or contamination with oil products	Very harmful to the body	Cleaning the well, eliminating the leakage of oil products, coal filter
methane	Proximity to a landfill where organic compounds decompose	Medium	Using a water aeration system with degassing
Chemical compounds (iodine, phenol)	Proximity of wastewater to chemical plants	Very dangerous	It is necessary to dig a new well in another place, disinfection, reverse osmosis filters
Gland	High concentration of iron salts in the aquifer	Very strong	Use of cleaning systems

If it comes from the well rotten egg smelling water, there is no doubt about the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the mine. It is formed when protein is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria. Conditions for the development of microorganisms (sulfur bacteria) arise in wells that have not been cleaned for a long time, clogged from all sides with clay layers. They feed on sulfides and sulfates and are able to develop without oxygen. Most often, hydrogen sulfide is formed in deep wells, including artesian ones, where there is no fluid circulation.

Hydrogen sulfide is a highly poisonous volatile suffocating gas. After inhalation, dizziness appears, the sense of smell is lost, fatigue is felt. It causes serious poisoning. When it enters the human body, the mixture disrupts vital processes, for example, the oxidation of iron. The person may be in a state of collapse. A gas concentration of 700 mg / m 3 is fatal to humans.

Liquid with hydrogen sulfide can disable plumbing fixtures, valves, and cause corrosion of metal parts. Therefore, if gas is found in the well, replace all pipes with plastic ones.

swamp smell water from a well appears if microscopic plants and microbes are present in the mine. The foul-smelling gas also emits sulfur pyrites, which are found in large quantities near peat deposits. Often this aroma is felt in the spring, when algae and bacteria begin to grow rapidly in the source.

Putrid smell does not always indicate contamination of the well. If only hot water from the tap smells, the reason for this is the contamination of the heating elements of the heating device, on which a thick salt layer forms. They always have bacteria in them.

Much less well water smells like iodine. Its aroma is felt after it enters the well of the effluents of a chemical enterprise containing phenol. As a result, a very toxic substance is formed, poisoning all sources in the area. If an unpleasant odor is found in the water in the well, it is necessary to take samples of the liquid for analysis in order to find out all the harmful components dissolved in it. Drinking water with the aroma of phenol is strictly prohibited.

Dirt enters the well in various ways. The stench is felt after the source is contaminated with flood waters with organic matter, which decomposes with the release of gases. You can protect the source with the help of a caisson. It is a box made of various materials dug into the ground to a depth of about 2 m. A small underground room will prevent various debris and dirty water from entering the well.

Due to the violation of the integrity of the mine, the formation of cracks and gaps in the joints of the knees, dirty water can seep into the well. It is necessary to repair the damage, even if it costs a lot of money. If sulfide bacteria enters the source, it will smell like hydrogen sulfide.

In the absence of liquid circulation in the water intake part of the well, the percentage of oxygen in the water, which destroys sulfur bacteria, decreases. For the same reason, a large amount of silt appears in the well if the source has not been used for a long time or the water has been pumped very rarely. To saturate the liquid with oxygen, use an aerator.

Well contamination with chemicals most often occurs in areas that are too close to fuel and lubricants warehouses or industrial enterprises.

If the mine is drilled in sulfide ore beds, there is a high probability that the water will smell like rotten eggs.

Methods for eliminating the smell of water

To make a decision on how to get rid of the smell of water in the well, determine the causes of the smell. If a large amount of rotting organic matter is found in the mine, it must be washed out. Thus, silt and organic debris are removed from it, along with microorganisms that have entered the mine from the surface. Fetid fumes associated with the chemical composition of the soil in the aquifer cannot be eliminated by cleaning the trunk. To solve the problem, you will need special filters that are installed on the surface. Let us consider in more detail what to do if the water from the well smells.

Eliminate the swamp smell of water

It is possible to rid water from shallow wells from the unpleasant smell of decay by flushing the mine with a pump pump, which removes organic matter and other decaying elements.

The work is performed in the following sequence:

• Prepare a large container and place it next to the mine. Fill it up with water. The volume should be enough to fill the casing to the top. If there is a source of water nearby, for example, a river or a reservoir, the tank can be omitted. In this case, find a place where the dirty slurry will merge, otherwise it will turn the entire area into a swamp.
• Install a powerful water pump near the well. Place the suction hose in the prepared container. Lower the outlet to the bottom of the well.
• Put on a special nozzle on the head of the column, which will allow you to drain water into the tank.
• Turn on the pump. The flow of water from the water pump will lift the dirt from the bottom and bring it out of the shaft into the prepared container. Heavy particles will settle to the bottom, and the pump will pump the purified liquid back.
• Periodically remove debris from the bottom of the tank.
• After flushing, install a pump in the well and pump out all the cloudy liquid. Together with it, all sources of stench will be removed.

Even if dirt remains in the source after cleaning, the oxygen in the water supplied from the surface will destroy microorganisms.

To get rid of the smell of rot in a very deep mine, two pumps are used - a surface pump and a centrifugal device. Install a large capacity tank next to the source and fill it with water. Lower the centrifugal pump into the well. You can use the product in the well. Pull the hose from it to the tank.

Place a water pump nearby, which will take liquid from the prepared container and supply it to the barrel. Install the pump discharge hose into the casing and extend it past the centrifugal pump to the bottom of the source. Turn on both products.

A powerful stream will wash away bottom sediments, and a centrifugal pump will pump them to the surface and send dirty water through a hose to a sump. In it, heavy particles will settle to the bottom, and the liquid will again be sent to the well. After flushing several times, pump out all the muddy water from the mine.

Removing hydrogen sulfide odor from water

This option is used if the smell of hydrogen sulfide in the water from the well has not disappeared after the removal of all unpleasantly smelling elements from the mine. There are three ways to get rid of it - physical, chemical and sorption-catalytic.

physical way based on the property of this substance to evaporate quickly. It involves the installation of special devices at the outlet of water from the hose, before pumping into the plumbing system. There are two types of such products - non-pressure and pressure.

Non-pressure tanks are plastic tanks that are filled through sprayers (nozzles) with water from a well. Oxygen from the air oxidizes most of the hydrogen sulfide, and the rest is weathered. The device is usually installed under the roof of the house, from where water enters the system by gravity.

Pressure systems differ in the size of the tank and the way water is supplied to the tanks. The liquid enters the column from below under pressure. In the tank, it is saturated with oxygen, which destroys the source of the smell - bacteria. After the procedure, the liquid can be used for cooking.

Sorption-catalytic method stench elimination uses the properties of some materials to promote the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide. The best catalyst is conventional activated carbon. To remove the smell of water from the well, pass the liquid through a filter with such a filler.

Chemical method It is used due to the properties of ozone, hydrogen, sodium hypochlorite to oxidize hydrogen sulfide. You can also find out the composition of the liquid and use oxygen for oxidation, which reacts with the elements present in the source to form insoluble precipitates.

The cheapest substance is potassium permanganate, which reacts with hydrogen sulfide to form colloidal sulfur that precipitates. The addition of manganese compounds also leads to the appearance of solid salts. Similar properties of potassium permanganate are used in dual regeneration filters. The manganese hydroxide formed as a result of a chemical reaction has the properties to absorb hydrogen sulfide. Appeared solid sediment must be periodically removed.

The most effective chemical way to rid water of this substance is the addition of hydrogen peroxide. As a result of the reaction, insoluble sulfur is formed, which is removed using a carbon filter.

Removing the smell of iron and chemical compounds

To remove the smell of iron, iodine, phenol and other chemical elements, it is recommended to use special filters of various types. Which devices should be used are determined only after a chemical analysis of the water. Often they are included in the system of complex cleaning of the liquid from the well, which also makes it possible to remove dissolved gases, impurities and microorganisms from it, which can cause stench.

To prevent the water from scaring away with an unpleasant chemical odor, use the following devices:

• To get rid of the characteristic smell of water from a well with iron, use iron-removing filters of a reagent or non-reagent type. Some models use oxygen to convert ferrous iron to ferric iron, others contain manganese sand, which eliminates ferrous compounds very quickly.
• A water softener must be included in the plumbing system, which is used if very hard water is planned to be heated by boilers. Without this device, salt deposits will appear on the heating elements, in which microorganisms multiply. The waste products of these bacteria smell very unpleasant.
• Often the liquid is passed through reverse osmosis - a membrane with a huge number of small holes. It is fed into such a filter in large quantities under pressure, as a result, all impurities remain outside the membrane. Reverse osmosis water comes out of high quality, without any smell.

How to get rid of the unpleasant smell of water from the well - look at the video:

Cleaning water from stench is not just restoring the natural state of the liquid. The procedure is performed to make it safe for cooking and hygienic use, as well as to prolong the life of the water supply system.

The smell from the source is caused by the presence in it of an excess concentration of hydrogen sulfide, iron compounds, ammonia. They then accelerate the process of rust on all metal that is in the well. In this case, the development of sulfur bacteria, which lead to a nauseating stench, takes place. These bacteria reduce sulfur salts (sulfides, sulfates) dissolved to the state of hydrogen sulfide.
It is known that 0.05 mg / liter of hydrogen sulfide gas gives bad moisture. In an aerated liquid, such a "flavor" is not felt. It is not dangerous when taken internally. The fact is that toxic effects on the body are also not established.

By the way, the threshold of permissible concentration within 0.03 mg / liter already coincides with the threshold of perception of taste and smell of a person.

But sulfides, into which hydrogen sulfide is converted, are recognized as dangerous. They affect the mucosal part of the intestinal tract, with symptoms of vomiting and abdominal pain.

There is also evidence of signs of heart disease, the cause of which is all the same sulfur compounds, especially sulfides.

The concentration of hydrogen sulfide in wells, including deep ones, can be traced in cases where the wellbore enters the horizon of sulfide manifestations. And such pools of underground sources contain a large amount of sulfur salts. Removing them, taking into account some features, involves:
Elimination of iron salts from water just taken from the well. A specific smell of rust appears a little later, after the entry of moisture into the reaction with atmospheric oxygen.
Elimination of the smell of ammonia, which indicates the presence of ammonia compounds in it.

Bad breath can be caused by:
- chlorine compounds, often used in systems for the removal of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. Well water subjected to chlorination can act as a pathogen limiter.
- organic substances that give a musty or earthy smell;
- mineral components, which also add a soda or salty taste to the moisture;
- manganese salts also change the smell of water.
Despite the undesirability of drinking such a "fragrant drink", nevertheless, it is also used for food. One can argue about the taste of such a dinner.

Bad smell from the well is not uncommon. And their source is the life and activity of innumerable bacteria. Their decomposition is the soil for saturating the source with hydrogen sulfide.
A similar "incense" can cause a high concentration of manganese (more than 20 mg/l).
Swamp or rotting stench from a well also comes from bacteria and organic constituents.
The specific and, at the same time, habitual smell of iodine is a very serious phenomenon. The reason for this is the effluents of industrial enterprises that penetrate into the soil layers and feed the well. Iodine releases the poisonous element phenol, which disrupts the functioning of the nervous system. Drinking such a "drink" is strictly forbidden.

So, water, in practice, is not found pure, since it contains all kinds of dissolved microorganisms and mechanical substances. Some of them, not being harmful to health, by themselves, in combination with some chemical elements, can have a very serious effect on a person.

Often, owners of private houses and country cottages notice the appearance of hydrogen sulfide from the smell. It is not worth postponing the solution of this problem. Such water not only smells bad, but is also dangerous to health. In search of an answer to the question "what to do?" many seek advice from more experienced hosts, and also read reviews on thematic forums. As a rule, recommendations come down to one thing: water needs to be cleaned. There are several ways to do this.

Where does hydrogen sulfide come from in the well?

Water from a well is convenient and troublesome at the same time. The individual water supply system requires maintenance, cleaning, and sometimes repair, and the owner of the well needs to do all this. The smell of hydrogen sulfide is a common problem among those who have a personal well on their site. In search of clean water, the owners drill deep enough holes in the ground. However, gas is often found just in in-depth. This happens for the following reason: sulfur bacteria, which eventually form a dangerous substance, live in the absence of oxygen. Very often these are water layers surrounded by impermeable soils (at great depths), or the bottom of running wells. As a result of the activity of bacteria, a colorless gas is formed - hydrogen sulfide. It gives the water a terrible smell and the repulsive taste of rotten eggs.

Advice. Pay attention to cutlery made of silver. Their blackening can also be a sign of the appearance of hydrogen sulfide in the water.

High concentration of hydrogen sulfide, activation of sulfur bacteria are usually observed in such situations:

• during a period of heavy rains or in the event of floods, when, together with water from the surface, the soil absorbs the remains of organic matter;
• in case of violation of the tightness of the casing string. Sulfur compounds in the soil seep inside;
• if deposits of sulfide ores are located near the well;

Hydrogen sulfide is dangerous to humans

• when sulfur-containing rocks enter the well during its construction;
• if the well is drilled in an industrial region.

Why is it necessary to purify such water. Preparatory stage

It is almost impossible to use a well that smells of hydrogen sulfide. The smell of such water is disgusting, but this is not the most dangerous:

1. The colorless gas is highly toxic. Possessing a high degree of volatility, it quickly spreads to all premises where hydrogen sulfide water is used. Prolonged inhalation of toxic air leads to poisoning, and its strong concentration can cause coma or respiratory arrest.
2. Hydrogen sulfide disrupts vital processes in the body. Organs receive less oxygen. A person stops smelling hydrogen sulfide and continues to inhale the toxic substance, accumulating it in the body.
3. Sulfur compounds harm plants that are watered with such water.
4. Due to the corrosive activity of hydrogen sulfide, the service life of metal parts of the well, pipes, plumbing is significantly reduced. All this quickly rusts.

Advice. If there is a risk of hydrogen sulfide in the water, it is better to install plastic pipes.

There are several ways to eliminate the toxic substance from the well. Which one to choose - will tell the laboratory analysis of water. The content and quantity of impurities, bacteria, and viruses will be determined in the sanitary and epidemiological station. The norms established that the allowable dose of hydrogen sulfide is 0.03 mg/l. Whether this level changes over time can be judged by regular analyzes of samples from the well.

If you notice an unpleasant odor, immediately take up water purification

Proper water intake involves the use of a mineral water bottle. Containers for other drinks will not work. The container must be rinsed, and then filled to the very top with tap water, after lowering it for 10-15 minutes. It is desirable to deliver the sample for analysis within 2 hours after sampling.

Methods for cleaning a well from hydrogen sulfide

Having received the results of the analyzes, you can choose one of the methods for purifying water from hydrogen sulfide.

Treat the well. There are several directions:

• remove deposits from the bottom and walls;
• remove sand, silt, clay, which have gathered at the very bottom. After that, you can pour a layer of large gravel to the bottom - this will be a natural filter;
• ensure the tightness of the casing string.

Advice. You can do this work alone or invite specialists who drilled the hole to help.

Take advantage of the physical. Since hydrogen sulfide is a volatile substance, it evaporates if the water stands in a container (for example, in a bucket). However, it is more convenient for a modern person to use the plumbing system than to rush around with dishes. Therefore, it is necessary to defend the water before it goes through the pipes. This can be done with special devices - degassers. They are of two types.

• A pressureless tank looks like a plastic tank into which water enters through the spray nozzles. In the process, it is saturated with oxygen, which performs 2 functions: the suppression of sulfur bacteria and the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide. The device is mounted under the roof, water escapes from it by gravity, and for greater effect, you can put an oxygen compressor in the tank.

Water purification scheme for a country house

• The capacity of a pressure degasser is less than that of a non-pressure one. Water falls to the bottom of the tank and is enriched with oxygen, which is supplied by a pump. Such a device is placed on the first or basement floor.

Advice. Water can be acidified before aeration.

resort to chemicals: it is possible to oxidize hydrogen sulfide not with oxygen, but with hydrogen peroxide or ozone, or with sodium hypochlorite. In this case, insoluble compounds are retained in the filter, and the gas is neutralized.

Use the sorption-catalytic method. It is most common with autonomous water supply from a well. The sorbent placed in the filter (best of all - activated carbon) purifies water. However, if the level of hydrogen sulfide content is very high, the sorption method is combined with the installation of a pressure degasser.

Sometimes it is not necessary to install special equipment to eliminate hydrogen sulfide. Instead, iron-removing filters will be able to cope with harmful gas. It is important to choose the correct dosage of reagents. It also happens that only hot water smells of hydrogen sulfide. The reason often lies in salt deposits on heating elements, which are a source of bacteria. In such cases, it is necessary to wash the boiler and install a sorption filter on the pipe.