Sulfate Health Risks for Animals . Anion exchange is the most common method of removing large quantities of Sulfate occurs naturally in most of Minnesota’s Animals are also sulfate from water for commercial, groundwater. Higher levels of sulfate are sensitive to high livestock, and public supplies. It is not common in the western part of the state. At levels of sulfate. commonly used for individual household high levels, sulfate can give water a bitter or In young animals, water treatment. It is a process that medicinal taste and can have laxative effects. high levels may replaces negatively charged ions (such as You can find out the level of sulfate in your be associated sulfate) with sodium chloride or potassium water by having the water tested at a with severe, chronic diarrhea and even death. chloride (salts). Animals tend to get used to sulfate over time. laboratory. . Adsorptive media filtration has a charged Diluting water high in sulfate with water low in media bed that can force ions of the sulfate can help avoid problems of diarrhea opposite charge (such as sulfate) to be Health Risks for Humans and dehydration in young animals and animals pulled out of the water and attach to the not used to drinking high sulfate water. People who are not media. used to water with high Contact a veterinarian or your county office of sulfate can get diarrhea the Minnesota Extension Service for more Learn more about these treatment options at and dehydration from information. the “Home Water Treatment” webpage. drinking the water. Note that water softeners, carbon filters, and Infants are often more Ways to Treat Sulfate sediment filters do not remove sulfate. sensitive to sulfate than adults. To be safe, Four types of treatment systems will remove only use water with a sulfate level lower than sulfate from drinking water: How Sulfate Gets Into 500 milligrams per liter (mg/L) to make infant formula. Older children and adults may get . Reverse osmosis pushes water through a Groundwater membrane with tiny pores. The membrane used to high sulfate levels after a few days. As water moves through soil and rock stops many contaminants, including sulfate, formations that contain sulfate minerals, some while allowing water to pass through. Other Problems Sulfate Can of the sulfate dissolves into the groundwater. Reverse osmosis usually removes between Minerals that contain sulfate include Cause 93 and 99 percent of the sulfate in drinking magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), sodium water, depending on the type of treatment Sulfate levels above 250 mg/L may make the sulfate (Glauber’s salt), and calcium sulfate unit. water taste bitter or like medicine. High sulfate (gypsum). levels may also corrode plumbing, particularly . Distillation is a process that boils water, copper piping. In areas with high sulfate levels, making steam. The steam rises and leaves plumbing materials more resistant to contaminants, such as sulfate behind. With corrosion, such as plastic pipe, are commonly proper operation, distillation units can used. remove nearly 100 percent of sulfate. Sulfate in Minnesota MDH District Offices Groundwater 625 North Robert Street Sulfate P.O. Box 64975 The level of sulfate in most groundwater in St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975 Minnesota is low, less than 250 milligrams per 651-201-4600 or 800-383-9808 liter (mg/L). High levels of sulfate (sometimes in [email protected] above 1000 mg/L) are more common in the www.health.state.mn.us/wells southwestern areas of Minnesota and along the western boundary of the state. High levels 705 Fifth Street Northwest Well Water of sulfate also occur, though less commonly, in Bemidji, Minnesota 56601 some wells in the northeastern and 218-308-2100 southeastern parts of the state. 11 East Superior Street Duluth, Minnesota 55802 218-302-6166 Resources 1505 Pebble Lake Road Home Water Treatment Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56537 (www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environ 218-332-5150 ment/water/factsheet/hometreatment.html). 3333 West Division Street Licensed Well and Boring Contractor Directory St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301 (www.health.state.mn.us/lwcsearch). 320-223-7300 Search for Accredited Laboratories 1400 East Lyon Street (www.health.state.mn.us/labsearch). Marshall, Minnesota 56258 507-476-4220 Water Quality, Well Testing, Well Disinfection (www.health.state.mn.us/wellwater). 18 Wood Lake Drive Southeast Rochester, Minnesota 55904 507-206-2700

To obtain this information in a different format, call 651-201-4600. Well Management Section Printed on recycled paper. Publications\Sulfate in Well Water 08/02/2019R Environmental Health Division