How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide, Catalytic Carbon, and Ultraviolet Sterilizers To Eliminate Sulfur Odors and Sulfate Reducing Bacteria from Well Water

Gerry,

My neighbor told me about your company.  I have a very bad rotten egg odor in our well water. I don't know why but it developed over the last year, we never had it before.   Our neighbors have a similar problem, not as bad but they use chlorine.

My wife does not want chlorine, and I read on your site about peroxide.  Would that work for me?  I think we have iron or sulfur bacteria, as we have a lot of gray slimy growth in our toilet tanks.  We also tested positive for coliform but I shocked the well and know it's clean, but will peroxide also kill coliform if it comes back?  thanks

Bill R.

North Carolina

What is The Difference Between the 3 Main Types of Iron Filter Media?

We use a few different methods used to remove iron and manganese from well water.  

Iron and manganese are typically found in groundwater in a dissolved state and have a clear color. 

While there are various less common treatment methods used (such as ion exchange and ultra-filtration), the most effective and popular systems oxidize (turn to rust) the clear state of iron to a rust or solid form so the solid particles can then be filtered out. 

The oxidation step can be accomplished with aeration, chlorine (gas, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite or on-site generation of sodium hypochlorite), chlorine dioxide, potassium or sodium permanganate, or ozone.

The most common methods are aeration and chlorine injection.

Top 6 Factors Affecting Ultraviolet Treatment of Well & Spring Water

Factors Affecting UV Treatment

Water to be treated by UV light should be clear and relatively low in minerals:

1. Water should be low in hardness minerals: Less than 7  grains per gallon of hardness, or less than 120 PPM) 
2. Water should be free of color 
3. Iron should be less than 0.3 mg/L.   
4. Manganese should be less than 0.05 mg/L
5. pH range should be 6.5 to 9.5
6. Turbidity should be less than 1 NTU