• Cause odors
• Corrode plumbing equipment
• Reduce well yields by clogging screens and pipes
• Increase chances of sulfur bacteria infestation

There are many ways by which sulfur can be removed from the water and most operate on the principal of oxidizing the sulfur (oxidation) to convert it from a gas to a solid or undissolved state. Once in the solid state, sulfur can be filtered.

Backwashing Filters
A backwashing filter, is the most widely used system for removing sulfur. The most common reasons for filter failure are a lack of flow in backwash or a lack of frequency of regenerations.  Filtration using various means of oxidation is the most common method of sulfur removal. Depending on the media selected, other common processes such as ozone, aeration, chlorine or peroxide injection may be used to boost the oxidizing properties of the water being treated

The pH of the water plays an important role in how quickly sulfur in gas form converts to a solid state. The higher the pH, the faster sulfur will convert to the solid state that can then be filtered. This is good in all equipment selections with the exception of a water softener where the oxidized sulfur plugs the exchange sites and fouls the resin. When using an sulfur filter at a pH above 6.5 is an absolute necessicity, and in reality a pH above 7.0 is what is really needed.  A pH of 8.0 to 8.5 greatly enhances the chance of a successful application.

If it is necessary to increase the pH level, chemical feed of sodium carbonate or soda ash is preferred over a filter filled with calcium carbonate or magnesium oxide, as the filter method may foul quickly.  Low pH levels when using filters are the chief reason for unsatisfactory results.

Most Popular Media
What follows is a partial list of medias used in sulfur filtration.  We have put them in an order of preference of how effective we feel each method is, from the least effective to the most effective.  We do not attempt to address all medias, especially ones which are dubious in design or outdated.   

Birm
Birm has the ability to remove sulfur and manganese and has no effect on hydrogen sulfide. Like manganese dioxide, birm also uses dissolved oxygen as a catalyst and may require some type of pre-oxidation in cases where the dissolved oxygen content is too low to affect a maximum sulfur removal result.  Birm is .1 percent manganese dioxide and is fairly leightweight, which allows for proper backwashing.  US Water does not sell a Birm Filter as there are simply better methods which are more predictable and effective for removing sulfur.  At .1 percent manganese dioxide, it simply is not effcetive for a long period of time.

Greensand Plus
Greensand is one of the oldest but proven oxidation technologies. Potassium permanganate, itself an oxidizer, is used to regenerate the greensand.  Potassium permanganate produces manganese dioxide on the surface of the mineral and, once the water comes in contact with it, any sulfur is immediately oxidized. The sulfur can be filtered and then cleaned away in the backwash cycle. Greensand is also effective with low levels of H2S or hydrogen sulfide and manganese.  Again, US Water chooses not to recommend a Greensand Plus system and dislikes the use of potassium permanganate.


KDF-85
KDF-85 is a redox media, which requires dissolved oxygen to be effective.  It consists of two metals - 85 percent copper and 15 percent zinc. These two dissimilar metals create a small electrical field in the bed that will not allow bacterial growth in the media. This property earns redox the distinction of being effective on bacterial sulfur without the use of chlorine injection, and being rated as bacteriostatic.  While it is effective on the removal of sulfur and hydrogen sulfide, and is able to reduce chlorine and heavy metals such as lead and mercury, redox is not effective with manganese. The biggest drawback for this media is its weight. Being almost twice as heavy as other medias, it requires more than twice the backwash rate of other minerals.

Manganese Dioxide - Filox
Manganese dioxide, often callex Filox or Pyrolox, is a naturally mined ore with the ability to remove sulfur, manganese and hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen sulfide capability exceeds that of either greensand or Birm and requires no chemicals to regenerate.  It does, however, require adequate amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water as a catalyst.   If the dissolved oxygen level is not sufficient it may require some type of pre-oxidation to achieve its maximum ability, such as injection of chlorine with a chemical feed pump. 

Air Injection
Some companies promote the injection, pumping or drawing of air to serve as an oxidizer instead of chlorine and some even use air compressors to inject air.  We have found this to be a very inexact science for the eradication of sulfur, as there is generally too much or too little air in the water supply.  If there is too little, the sulfur is not oxidized and if there is too much your water fizzes like an Alka-Setlzer.  In 90% or more of the cases, a Filox filter does not require an oxidizer and is a superior method of removing sulfur, and manganese.  The ONLY drawback to Filox is that it is heavy and requires a strong backwash to properly remove the the oxidized sulfur.  If you have a strong well with good pressure, a Filox system will function at an exceptionally high level with media life being 15-20 years.  US Water recommends the Filox system in many instances - the systems can be viewed HERE.

Other sulfur Removal Methods

Ozone
Ozone is a powerful oxidizer and when used properly can be effective on large amounts of sulfur. Similar to aeration, ozone is injected into water via a contact vessel as a pre-treatment to filtration.  A properly sized Ozone Generator and proper system design is the key to success. Due to ozone’s expense it is usually applied on sulfur levels higher than normal filtration is known to handle effectively.  Each system is custom designed for the application.  Ozone is typically two to three times the cost of other methods but have a very minimal operating cost.  If you are considering the use of ozone, please call one of our Ozone specialists at 800-608-USWA or e-mail us at info@uswatersystems.com.


Liquid Chlorination
Using 5 percent to 10 percent chlorine as an oxidizer is also widely used.  Chlorination requires a contact tank which should have a 15-20 minute supply of water at peak flow.  For instance, if the peak flow is 10 gallons per minute, then a 150-200 gallon contact tank would be needed.  Many chlorination systems are undersized in respect to the contact tank, and meet with mixed results.  After the injection of the chlorine and flow into the contact tank, a backwashing carbon filter is utilized to remove the precipitated sulfur and chlorine residual.  Chlorine works well with sulfur IF the contact or retention tank is sized properly and the user knows how to clean the injection point fitting and check valve, as chlorine will frequently chrystalize at that injection point and stop working

Hydrogen Peroxide - Oxi-Gen System
US Water has pioneered the use of hydrogen peroxide in water treatment for the eradication of sulfur, and manganese.  It can truly be called an Eradicator because it TOTALLY removes sulfur, iron, and manganese.  Properly sized, an OXi-Gen Hydrogen Peroxide System from US WATER is THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD for removing sulfur, iron, rust, hydrogen sulfide and manganese and the rotten-egg odor from your water supply.  Hydrogen Peroxide is not a hazardous chemical - to the contrary, hydrogen peroxide or H2O2, is composed of the elements of water: Hydrogen and Oxygen.  There is nothing foreign or chemical added to the water supply.  Unlike chlorine, hydrogen peroxide requires no contact time and the reaction or oxidation of sulfur, iron, rust, manganese and hydrogen sulfide is immediate.   The Oxi-Gen Hydrogen Peroxide System is the answer to practically any sulfur, iron, rust, hydrogen sulfide and manganese problem. With hydrogen peroxide or H2O2 as it is called, you can always predict for a certainity that it will always work, even with excessively