Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide has an offensive "rotten eggs" odour that is detectable at very low concentrations. In water, the taste and odour thresholds for hydrogen sulfide are estimated to be between 0.05 and 0.1 mg/litre.

Although considerably offensive in taste and smell, oral ingestion of hydrogen sulfide is not generally considered a health risk. It is unlikely that anyone could consume a harmful dose of hydrogen sulfide in drinking water, however, due to its offensive odor and taste, it is desirable to filter it from your drinking water if it is present.

Most of the hydrogen sulfide that occurs in drinking water is derived from natural sources and industrial processes. It is particularly noticeable in some groundwater, depending on source rock mineralogy and microorganisms present.