Sulfur Smell in Water

Your regional water experts for water quality issues in New Hampshire

Does your water smell like rotten eggs? Well, you’re not alone. Many homes in the region are plagued by a rotten egg smell in their water. This is hydrogen sulfide, which can be caused by the metabolism of a non-harmful bacteria called “sulfate reducing bacteria.” In this area we also have hydrogen sulfide gas that is caused by a natural chemical reaction in deep wells.

The characteristics of these two types differ, but in both cases the resulting odor is certainly unpleasant. In some cases the odor is intermittent, building up while the water sits and flushing out with use. In other cases it is constant and can be quite overwhelming. In this region the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas is not a health issue, though it dramatically lessens the quality of life for the users of the water supply.

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Treatment options for hydrogen sulfide

If your water smells like rotten eggs, chlorine, metallic, dirt, or is cloudy in appearance, there are solutions. Pure water is possible. Contact us for a free water test from one of our Certified Water Specialists.

Kinetico Powerline Pro Odor System

Two available tank sizes deliver a strong flow of clean, filtered water throughout any size home, while a choice of three media blends provides maximum flexibility.

Fully programmable, field-proven control valve can be set up using local handheld devices* such as smartphones and tablets, or by simply using two buttons on valve faceplate.

Kinetico Sulfur Guard

The Kinetico Sulfur Guard System takes care of hydrogen sulfide problems in a single, easily maintained unit. Unlike typical systems that require multiple stages of expensive, cumbersome, high-maintenance equipment, the Sulfur Guard rids your water of bad odor and taste simply and efficiently.

Kinetico AP System

The Kinetico aeration system is used to oxidize hydrogen sulfide or dissolved iron in water, converting these contaminants into a form that can be easily filtered out. A venturi or air pump is utilized to aerate the water, while the air vent allows unwanted air to be vented safely and reliably. Customized to individual plumbing situations.

Commercial Water Treatment

Due to the variables at each site, Commercial & Public Water Treatment is always custom configured using a wide range of technologies. We are happy to perform a Site Evaluation and then present your options in detail.

Treating sulfur smell and taste in your water

The sulfate-reducing bacteria that causes most of the hydrogen sulfide in NH is a non-aerobic organism that feeds on the sulfate mineral that occurs naturally here. The odor is the result of the bacteria metabolizing the compound. Any method of treatment needs to take this into account.

Secondwind’s experts can use one of two homeowner-friendly methods for treatment:

Air injection method

We inject air into the water, which makes the environment aerobic and no longer favorable to the bacteria. Critical aspects of this aeration configuration include a reliable method of injecting the air, such as an air pump, which means we do not risk build up of minerals in the piping. Mineral build up happens when a venture valve is used to inject air.

The air needs time to do its work, so we pass the water through a large aeration/precipitation tank. The tank allows any precipitated material to settle to the bottom, where it can be blown down as part of our preventive maintenance routine. In addition, this tank has a reliable vent which allows excess air to off-gas.

Carbon method

The other method uses a catalytic carbon to interact with oxygen in the water and oxidize the hydrogen sulfide odor. The system combats the build up of biofilms caused by the presence of the sulfate-reducing bacteria through a rinse (as part of the backwash cycle) with a dilute bleach solution.

Depending on how intense the odor is, a simple carbon cartridge filter could temporarily eradicate the odor, but this isn’t a good long-term solution for really intense odors because the cartridge doesn’t have a large capacity for sulfur. Carbon filters are expensive and if the sulfur is intense, you’ll have to change filters frequently.

In cases of intense odor, we may recommend a more robust approach called air brining, which is a backwashing filter with activated carbon. The brine uses aeration to remove contaminants, and doesn’t restrict water flow into your home.

With this option, you must maintain a small storage tank of bleach so that the system can automatically backwash itself with the diluted solution. The system we recommend is the Sulfur Guard by Kinetico. It reliably removes hydrogen sulfide from water.

Confusing sulfur for manganese

People see discoloration in their toilet bowl and assume that it’s manganese when it’s actually sulfur gas that has precipitated out and turned into a black-toned powder. A lot of people get manganese and sulfur confused. It is quite rare that Manganese contamination is high enough that you can smell it.

Secondwind Water System | Manchester, NH

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Why Secondwind?

Locally Owned & Operated

A New Hampshire, family operated, woman-owned business that serves over 10,000 residential and commercial customers.

Certified Water Specialists

You will work with a Certified Water Specialist who will be responsive and honest. We are passionate about solving the toughest water quality challenges.

Lifetime Promise

With our commitment to exceptional customer service, technical expertise, and intimate knowledge of the region’s water quality issues, you can count on us to ensure that you love your water for years to come.

Have any questions? Call us now!

603 641 5767

Have any questions?
Call us now!

Certified Water Specialists

Our expertise and ongoing education is what sets us apart, 15 of NH’s 17 certified Water Quality Professionals are employed by Secondwind. We have solutions no matter your water problem or budget.