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Sulfate is a group of mineral salts that can occur naturally in groundwater and can affect the quality of well water in several ways. It is important to note that sulfate itself is not considered harmful to human health at typical levels found in drinking water. However, sulfate can contribute to the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria, which can produce hydrogen sulfide gas, known for its rotten egg smell. This gas can be unpleasant and may indicate the presence of other contaminants in the water. Sulfate is listed as a secondary contaminant by the USEPA because it can cause taste and odor issues.
What are the effects of sulfate in well water?
Taste and Odor-High levels of sulfate in well water can cause it to have a bitter taste and a distinct odor.
Scale Deposits-It can also lead to the formation of scale deposits in pipes and appliances, which can reduce water flow and efficiency.
Discoloration/Staining- Sulfate can react with certain metals in the water, such as iron, to form precipitates that can cause discoloration and staining.
When should I test for sulfate in my well water?
The USEPA recommends removing sulfate if greater than 250 milligrams per liter (mg/l) due to its salty taste. To ensure you are protecting your family’s health, we have developed a set of recommendations for testing that are provided in our article, "What do I need to know about sampling my well water?" , that includes sulfate. When testing your well water you will very rarely be testing for only one thing — like sulfate — and instead testing for a suite of constituents that are important to identify if in your drinking water.
What treatment should I use if there is sulfate in my well water?
How do I remove sulfate from my water?
Once you test and have decided to treat your water to remove sulfate, the Minnesota Department of Health has developed a Home Water Treatment Guide that covers treatment for any common constituent in well water. The most important advice we can provide you is if you are going to add treatment to your home water system, be sure the treatment device has been certified to remove sulfate by an independent third-party certification organization.
Where can I get local help and information about iron in my well water?
Contact your local health department – They can help you interpret your sample results and may have information on the best treatment options for your situation. If they personally aren’t able to answer your questions, they will know who to contact who will be able to help you, likely at your state health department.
Contact a water treatment professional – We would recommend contacting a water treatment professional who has been certified through the Water Quality Association’s Professional Certification Program.
State or Federal Geologic or Water Resource Agency – They may have completed field studies of your area or collected samples from water wells to map and understand the water quality in your state. In addition, they may house water well logs, including yours, or be able to provide additional information about the aquifer your well is getting water from.
Consult your well driller or drilling contractor – The contractor that drilled your well, and other local contractors, may be aware of the water quality issues nearby including high sulfate levels, and might have worked with other well owners in your area to solve this issue.
Research online – You should be inquisitive; it will help you significantly because there can be great information available online. Use search terms like “my state (CA, ME, IL, etc.) water well logs,” “my state groundwater quality,” or “my state well water quality.”
Contact us directly – If these other local sources don’t work out for you, we may be able to help. We may be able to provide direct assistance, and/or direct you to a technical assistance provider in your area who can help answer your questions (This is a free service funded by USEPA).
Want to learn more about your private well and how to care for it?
Sign up for the free 10-week email course from PrivateWellClass.org. The class is a project of RCAP and the University of Illinois, with funding from USEPA.
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