Autonomous water supply in a private house and in the country is the only way to provide life-giving moisture if there is no possibility of connecting to the central highway. When water in a well is polluted, the quality of life drops sharply. One of the signs of infection of the liquid with sulfur bacteria is a characteristic rotten odor. It is necessary to remove not only the smell of hydrogen sulfide from the well, but also the compounds of the harmful element.
Causes of Stench
Hydrogen sulfide in water from a well or well is formed due to the decomposition of proteins due to the activity of anaerobic microorganisms that do not need oxygen for development. This element not only causes the disgusting smell of rotten eggs, it is dangerous for health: with excessive concentration or prolonged exposure leads to serious intoxication and even death.
The reasons that the compounds of this element are in water:
- siltation of a well source;
- getting into the mine of pathogens with sediments, from the overhead water, sewage;
- casing depressurization and leakage of contaminants;
- penetration of sulphurous ores during punching - in this case, the mine will start to stink from the first day of operation.
Hydrogen sulfide compounds are often found in liquid that was extracted from artesian wells, since the bacteria that produce it multiply in tightly sealed formations, where oxygen does not penetrate. If in water, in addition to hydrogen sulfide, there are oil-containing products or chloride inclusions, this reports a problem of a technogenic nature.
Pollution determination
Visually, the element is not noticeable, it is felt only by olfactory receptors. However, it is able to have a negative effect on metals in contact with them. Under its action there is a rapid corrosion of iron. The walls of the pipes, the submersible pump in contact with the liquid from the well, rapidly turn yellow. When red spots on the metal appear right in front of the eyes, and the well smells foul, the water is clearly infected.
If the water from the well smells of hydrogen sulfide, you will need to contact the organization that conducted the source punching. Especially if you ordered a turnkey work. They will correct the situation for free if the warranty period has not ended.
When the smell of the swamp appeared only after the liquid passed through the water heater, the problem should not be sought in the source itself, but in the boiler. You will need to thoroughly wash it from sediment and plaque, which can become a medium for the reproduction of sulfur bacteria, and then put a sorption-catalytic filter. If after this the smell does not disappear, boil cold water in a ladle. Strengthening the "aroma" after heating indicates that you need to clean the well. Urgent action is required to remove the hazardous substance.
More useful and clear laboratory analysis of fluid samples. It will detect the presence of hydrogen sulfide and other harmful substances.
The danger of odorous water
Hydrogen sulfide can cause serious harm to people and animals. Therefore, water with a significant concentration of compounds cannot be used for household and technical purposes. It can not be drunk or used for cooking. In such a liquid, it is dangerous to wash, water the garden with it and even rinse the equipment. The chemical element is in a dissolved state, but it can evaporate because it is a volatile compound.
Toxic fumes can cause:
- sensations of "cotton wool" in the head;
- allergies
- weaknesses;
- nausea and vomiting.
A significant amount of hydrogen sulfide in the air causes inflammation on the eyelids, fainting and toxic poisoning. Gradually, a person gets used to the stench and ceases to notice it, constantly exposed to the harmful effects of the substance, which eventually leads to illness.
An atmosphere content of more than 4.5 percent hydrogen sulfide compounds will lead to an explosion with a temperature exceeding 260 degrees. Therefore, when a characteristic plow appears, immediate cleaning of the well and subsequent installation of filtering devices are required.
Urgent Well Cleaning
If water comes from the well with the disgusting smell of hydrogen sulfide, it is necessary to get rid of not only the “aroma”. It is required to remove hydrogen sulfide compounds from the fluid by cleaning the well. You can do this in the following ways:
- Logging water intake. The procedure is needed to determine the cause of the well malfunction. It is carried out by a professional with the use of special equipment.
- Mine cleaning. This is necessary to get rid of the sandy-silty sediment at the bottom of the well, which is a comfortable living environment for sulfur bacteria. It is possible to use washing with a water jet while pumping out dirty liquid, destroying deposits mechanically during non-stop pumping of contaminated water, or other cleaning methods.
- The buildup of water intake. It is used to remove dirt in places that are adjacent to the filter surface and to eliminate stagnant foci in them.
If the problem is in the condition of the casing, it will have to be changed. If manipulation is not feasible due to decay, a pipe with a smaller cross section is placed inside.
If the “aroma” is not too strong, getting rid of the infection is easy with your own hands. It is necessary to use bio-compounds based on microorganisms that destroy sulfur bacteria.
Methods for disinfecting water
After cleaning the well, it is necessary to install filtering devices that remove hydrogen sulfide compounds from the water. There is a possibility that the source of pollution is outside the hydraulic structure, and sulfur bacteria can again fall into the mine.
The most effective methods:
- Physical aeration using pressure and non-pressure degassers. The latter are large and not airtight. Using oxygen, they cleanse the liquid that enters through the inlet nozzles. In order to accelerate the removal of toxic residues, it is recommended to mount an air compressor in the tank. Pressure devices are small. They quickly saturate small portions of water with oxygen, driving the stream through a pump unit.
- Chemical disinfection. It implies absolute degassing of the water mass, where the active components are used as the oxidizing agent - hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, ozone, potassium permanganate. These substances are in special cartridges through which liquid is passed. During oxidation, water-insoluble compounds appear - sulfur, sulfate, thiosulfate, remaining in the filter element.
- Sorption-catalytic purification. It involves the use of special absorbents. They contribute to the acceleration of oxidation in sulfur compounds. The main disadvantage of sorption disinfection is the duration of the procedure. The best sorption fillers are considered natural materials with microscopic pores - wood or activated carbon. They have increased catalytic performance, allowing quickly and without environmental problems to purify water from any impurities. And the oxide elements will settle in the filler, and they will be removed along with the replacement of the cartridge.
You can install a reverse osmosis column with a membrane that allows only water molecules to pass through.Cleaning would be perfect. The downside is that along with harmful suspensions from the liquid, useful substances will disappear. Before drinking, water will have to be passed through a special mineralizer.
It is best to assemble a system of several filtration units or install a comprehensive cleaning and disinfecting equipment.
Popular filters that eliminate stench and completely remove harmful substances in water are iron removal and softening installations with the effect of absorption of hydrogen sulfide. They are represented by well-known firms "Aquaphor" and "Geyser". The price of filtration devices of the first brand starts at 53,000 rubles, the second - from 35,000 rubles.
It is possible to remove harmful hydrogen sulfide in a well forever and prevent dangerous consequences if this problem is solved in a complex. It is necessary to remove the smell and clean the source of sulfur bacteria, and also install a filtration device to avoid repeated problems.
