While many people still blame sulfur for the rotten egg smell in water, sulfur alone does not create that terrible smell. Technically speaking, the sulfur combines with two hydrogen molecules to form H₂S, a compound formally commonly known as hydrogen sulfide gas.

It does not take a large quantity of liberated hydrogen sulfide gas in a water supply to make the water unappealing because of its wretched, egg-like aroma and the smell typically intensifies as the water temperature rises and more H₂S gas leaves the water.

Some would think that simply detecting the rank stench of H₂S gas in drinking water would serve as all the information needed to select the correct water treatment system but, as with most other drinking water contaminants, the concentration of H₂S gas in the water determines what method of removal will make the most sense.

Simple activated carbon filters usually do a decent job of removing smaller amounts of H₂S gas. For higher concentrations of H₂S gas, other, more complicated and expensive methods usually become necessary. In some of the methods chemicals convert the gas back into its elemental form (a powder) and then a filter strains out the precipitated sulfur.

Testing for hydrogen sulfide

We have already mentioned that hydrogen sulfide gas in water does not need to have all that high of a concentration to offend one’s nose so it stands to reason that a good test kit for hydrogen sulfide gas in water would have the ability to detect very low levels of the gas.

Thus far in our travels the kit that seemed to have the easiest instructions, easiest to read color chart, a decent amount of accuracy, and best overall value came from WaterWorks and goes by the name of Low Range Hydrogen Sulfide Check.

This highly affordable hydrogen sulfide test kit for drinking water detects hydrogen sulfide levels from 0 ppm to 2 ppm with the first color pad having a value of 0.3 ppm. Testing time: Under 3 minutes.

Removing hydrogen sulfide from drinking water

The task of removing hydrogen sulfide from drinking water can get accomplished in several ways, but for the average home or business owner using a whole house filter that contains specialized filtration media typically makes the most sense.

A company by the name of Crystal Quest manufactures several different whole house water filters capable of removing hydrogen sulfide and you can find information on how they work as well as the levels of hydrogen sulfide they remove on the FilterWater.Com web site.

“What causes a rotten egg smell in my drinking water?” asked Susie from Upstate NY. “Is my water safe?”

Most likely the cause of the rotten egg smell has something to do with the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas in your water source or the same gas getting generated somewhere in your plumbing.

How do you verify the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas? Use a hydrogen sulfide test kit, of course!

Now some people will tell you that smelling the rotten egg smell serves as proof enough of a problem and that you ought to just go and get a filter for your water… but did those people know that different types of filters work well for different concentrations of hydrogen sulfide?

Also, before you run out and pick up a water filter system to remove hydrogen sulfide, make sure the source of the gas lies outside of your home and not within your plumbing!

Now back to the matter of water filters used to remove hydrogen sulfide gas…

As a general rule, many water professionals believe:

• Activated carbon filters work well for hydrogen sulfide concentrations less than 1 mg/L.
• Manganese ‘greensand’ filters work well for hydrogen sulfide concentrations as high as 6 mg/L.

• Oxidation filtration systems work well for hydrogen sulfide concentrations up to and exceeding 6 mg/L.

How do you know what type of filter get? Get yourself a drinking water test kit for hydrogen sulfide and let the results dictate your next move.

As for whether or not you have ‘safe drinking water’, the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas does not necessarily mean that you have UNsafe drinking water, but it should definitely make you want to get your water tested by a certified water testing lab

1) Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Coming From the Water

2) Corrosive, Irritating Sulfuric Fumes Leaching Out of Defective Chinese Drywall

Note: We neglected to cite ‘actual rotten eggs’ or ‘deviled eggs’ as reasons because to our knowledge, most people know what to do if theyr find either of those items in their homes.

Today we bring news of an alarming recent trend which could end up costing some homeowners… their homes!

Many insurance companies brag in their advertisements and commercials how they will stand by a person or comapny’s side in the event of a bad situation. Granted they will more than likely raise the affected parties’ rates afterwards, but they say they will continue to stand by in case another emergency comes along.

Given recent events, as you will soon read, certain insurance companies may need to revise their public promises — or get sued for false advertising! However, thankfully, some authentic insurance companies (you can view them here), come in as a welcome relief.

Thousands of homeowners nationwide who have bought new houses made with defective building materials are finding their hopes dashed and their lives in limbo. Experts warn that cases like the Ivorys’, in which insurers drop policies or send notices of nonrenewal because of tainted Chinese drywall, will become rampant as insurance companies work their way through the hundreds of claims currently in the pipeline.

At least three insurers already have canceled or refused to renew policies after homeowners sought help replacing the bad materials. Because mortgage companies require homeowners to insure their properties, they are then at risk of foreclosure, yet no law prevents the cancellations. ( source )

Now THAT sounds like a bad set of circumstances. Imagine living in a home that desperately needed repairs, filing for help from your insurance company, having your claim denied AND then they drop your policy. Ouch.

We wish all the folks affected by the defective Chinese drywall the best of luck in their efforts to resolve their situations.

In the meantime, anyone who does NOT have defective Chinese drywall that detects a hint of rotten egg odor in their home may want to take a look at the following test kits for hydrogen sulfide in water. While the nose will tell you if you have hydrogen sulfide gas present in your water, you will still need to know how much hydrogen sulfide you have if you want to choose the correct method of water remediation.

Hydrogen Sulfide in Water Test Strips 0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 ppm (IT-481197-20) Contains 30 Test Strips, Result in 20 Seconds

Hydrogen Sulfide in Water Test Strips 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 ppm (IT-481197-1) Contains 50 Test Strips, Result in 31 Seconds

Performing a simple test for hydrogen sulfide in water will confirm what your nose told you… or will it?

Yes, the test for hydrogen sulfide in water can confirm the presence of hydrogen sulfide in your drinking water, but what happens when the test comes back negative and you still have the rotten egg smell in your home?

For some folks, the answer lies in the walls all around them…

The Cramers — along with thousands of other homeowners in Florida and elsewhere — now believe that imported Chinese drywall is making them sick and destroying their property. The drywall, which is used in walls and ceilings, is emitting sulfur-compound gases that homeowners have described as giving off a sour or “rotten egg” odor. Many blame the fumes for eye, skin and breathing irritation and nosebleeds, as well as the corrosion of copper pipes, electrical wiring and air conditioners. ( source )

What does that mean to the average homeowner experiencing problems with the smell of rotten eggs in their home? It means they may need to test their water for hydrogen sulfide and check to see what kind of drywall the builders used in the construction of their home.

Homeowners w/ questions about the materials used to build their home should first contact their builder. If that does not yield satisfactory results, contact the local Health Department and ask them what they believe you ought to do next.

Hydrogen Sulfide in Water Test Strips 0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 ppm (IT-481197-20) Contains 30 Test Strips, Result in 20 Seconds

Hydrogen Sulfide in Water Test Strips 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 ppm (IT-481197-1) Contains 50 Test Strips, Result in 31 Seconds

While hydrogen sulfide in water creates a giant nuisance with its stench, arsenic poses some real danger to humans and should not exist in drinking water. The USEPA set the maximum contaminant level for (inorganic) arsenic in drinking water at 10ppb, or 10 parts per billion.

Before you can effectively remove either of the compounds you must first learn how much of one or both contaminants you have. The test kits below will provide on-the-spot testing results for screening purposes only. As always, though, we suggest having your water professionally tested by a certified water analysis laboratory before making any final decisions regarding which treatment system to purchase or deciding whether or not you actualll need a water treatment system.

Hydrogen Sulfide in Water Test Strips 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 ppm (IT-481197-1) Contains 50 Test Strips, Result in 31 Seconds $13.55 $12.75

Arsenic in Water Test Kit <2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, 40, 45 & >50 ppb (481297-I) 50 Tests, Results in 12 Minutes $179.99 $129.00