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Hydrogen and Bacteria Consider Testing Your If the Problem is in the Water Heater gas can give water a “rotten In most cases, the rotten egg smell does not Unless you are very familiar with water heater egg” taste or odor. This gas can occur in wells relate to the sanitary quality of the water. In operation and maintenance, have a plumber anywhere and be: rare instances, the gas may be from sewage or or water system professional to do the work. . Naturally occurring—a result of decay and other pollution. To be safe, test your well . Replace or remove the magnesium anode. chemical reactions with soil and rocks. water for coliform bacteria and nitrate. Many water heaters have a magnesium . Produced by certain “sulfur bacteria” in the anode, which is attached to a plug located groundwater, well, or plumbing system. What You Can Do on top of the water heater. It can be . Produced by sulfur bacteria or chemical The first step is to find out what the source of removed by turning off the water, releasing reactions inside of water heaters. the issue is; that will let you know what the pressure from the water heater, and . From pollution (this is rare). treatment option is best. unscrewing the plug. Be sure to plug the hole. Removal of the anode, however, may How to Detect How to Find the Source significantly decrease the life of the water . Bacterial slime may be white, grey, black, After you have been away from your home for heater. You may wish to consult with a or reddish brown if associated with a few hours, smell the water coming out of the water heater dealer to determine if a bacteria (signs of sulfur bacteria). hot and cold water faucets. Determine which replacement anode made of a different . Black stains on silverware and plumbing faucets have the “rotten egg” odor. material, such as aluminum, can be fixtures (signs of hydrogen sulfide gas). installed. A replacement anode may provide . on pipes and components corrosion protection without contributing of the water distribution system (signs of to the production of hydrogen sulfide gas. hydrogen sulfide gas). . Disinfect and flush the water heater with a . Have your water tested at a laboratory. chlorine bleach solution. Chlorination can May Help Other Bacteria Grow kill sulfur bacteria. If all bacteria are not destroyed by chlorination, the problem may Sulfur bacteria produce a slime and can help return within a few weeks. other bacteria grow, such as iron bacteria. The slime can clog wells, plumbing, and irrigation . Increase the water heater temperature to systems. 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for several hours. This will destroy Gas May be Harmful the sulfur bacteria. Flushing to remove the While sulfur bacteria are not harmful, dead bacteria after treatment should hydrogen sulfide gas in the air can be harmful control the odor problem. at high levels. It is important to remove the gas CAUTION: Increasing the water heater temperature from the water, or vent the gas to the can be dangerous. Consult with the manufacturer atmosphere. Venting prevents the gas from or dealer regarding an operable pressure relief collecting in low-lying spaces (such as well pits valve, and for other recommendations. Be sure to and basements) or enclosed spaces (such as lower the thermostat setting and make certain the well houses). Only well professionals should water temperature is reduced following treatment to prevent injury from scalding hot water and to enter a well pit or other enclosed space where avoid high energy costs. hydrogen sulfide gas may be present. If the Problem is in the Well, Plumbing Resources Why does my water smell like System, or Water Softener Home Water Treatment rotten eggs? Disinfect the well and plumbing system with a (www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment strong chlorine solution. You can hire a licensed /water/factsheet/hometreatment.html). well contractor to do this or refer to the "Well Licensed Well and Boring Contractor Directory Hydrogen Sulfide Disinfection" webpage for instructions. (www.health.state.mn.us/lwcsearch). Sulfur bacteria can be difficult to remove once Search for Accredited Laboratories (www.health.state.mn.us/labsearch). established in a well. Prework (such as and Sulfur Bacteria scrubbing the well casing, using special Water Quality, Well Testing, Well Disinfection treatment chemicals, and agitating the water (www.health.state.mn.us/wellwater). in Well Water before disinfection) may be necessary— Well Disinfection especially if there are also iron bacteria. (www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environ ment/water/wells/waterquality/disinfection.html). Contact a licensed well contractor to do this prework. MDH District Offices If the bacteria are in the water softener or 625 North Robert Street other treatment devices, contact the installer, P.O. Box 64975 manufacturer, or Minnesota Department of St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975 Health for disinfection instructions. 651-201-4600 or 800-383-9808 [email protected] If the Problem is in Groundwater www.health.state.mn.us/wells Installing home water treatment or drilling a 705 Fifth Street Northwest Bemidji, Minnesota 56601 new well in a different formation are both 218-308-2100 options. Below are types of home water treatment effective at removing hydrogen 11 East Superior Street Duluth, Minnesota 55802 sulfide gas. Learn more at the “Home Water 218-302-6166 Treatment” webpage. 1505 Pebble Lake Road . Activated carbon filters are effective for Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56537 hydrogen sulfide levels less than 1 milligram 218-332-5150 per liter (mg/L). 3333 West Division Street . The following are options are effective for St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301 levels both below and above 1 mg/L. 320-223-7300 ▪ Oxidizing media filtration (such as a 1400 East Lyon Street Marshall, Minnesota 56258 manganese greensand filter). This type of 507-476-4220 treatment is often used to treat iron 18 Wood Lake Drive Southeast problems in water. Rochester, Minnesota 55904 ▪ Aeration and filtration. 507-206-2700 ▪ Continuous chlorination and filtration. To obtain this information in a different format, call 651-201-4600. Printed on recycled paper. Well Management Section ▪ Ozonation and filtration. Publications\Hydrosulfide Sulfur Bacteria in Well Water 08/02/2019R Environmental Health Division