What Does the Government Sampling Say About Sulfur Smell in Somerset County Bedrock Aquifer?
The U.S. Geological Survey tested groundwater from four bedrock wells in Somerset County in late summer 2011. Each well was between 100 and 555 feet deep. All four samples showed sulfide levels at zero milligrams per liter, meaning sulfide was below the reporting limit for their instruments.
How Should a Homeowner Understand the Median and Range of Sulfide Results?
The median sulfide concentration in these samples was 0.0 mg/L, and the range was from 0.0 to 0.0 mg/L, indicating none of the wells had measurable sulfide at the time of testing. For a homeowner, this means that in this small sample set of area bedrock wells, sulfide was not detected within the sensitivity of the tests used.
What Does This Range Mean Compared to Federal Standards and What It Does Not Mean?
No sulfide result in this set exceeded any federal health-based threshold. However, it is important to note that sulfide detection levels here do not equate to either a violation or unsafe water. Sulfide is primarily an aesthetic concern due to its rotten-egg odor rather than a regulated contaminant. The absence of detectable sulfide in these samples does not prove any individual well water is free from sulfur odors, nor does it guarantee no sulfur smell can occur in household water.
How Can Somerset County's Data Be Compared to Neighboring Counties Without Overreading?
While similar U.S. Geological Survey sampling exists for other counties, differences in geology and test timing mean sulfide levels may vary. Somerset County’s bedrock aquifer samples showed no detectable sulfide at the time of testing, but nearby areas with different rock formations or groundwater flow could show differing results. It is not appropriate to assume water quality from one county applies directly to another.
What Steps Can Homeowners Take to Identify and Address Sulfur Smell in Their Water?
Start with the least costly evaluations such as checking for odors at individual fixtures or determining if plumbing components contribute to smells. If suspicion of dissolved sulfide remains, a certified laboratory test measuring sulfide concentration in your specific water sample is necessary. Only this can confirm the presence and level of sulfur compounds.
Why Do Aesthetic Secondary Standards for Sulfide Differ from Health-Based Limits?
Sulfide in water is mostly a nuisance because it causes a rotten-egg odor which some find unpleasant. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issues secondary standards for sulfide concentration to guide taste, odor, and staining concerns, not for direct health effects. These secondary standards are not enforceable limits but recommendations to help maintain water quality aesthetics.
What Is the Most Important Water Test to Order and What Will It Confirm?
Ordering a certified laboratory sulfide test on your household water is the key step. This analysis will determine if sulfide is present and at what concentration, settling the question of whether the odor originates from dissolved sulfur compounds. If sulfide is confirmed, equipment such as the C-Series Rotten-Egg Sulfur Smell Filter ships ready to configure and can be used to reduce or remove sulfur odors in your water supply.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2011-09-27. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.
On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of Sulfide in the BEDROCK aquifer (Somerset County): 4 results from 4 wells, median 0.0 mg/L, range 0.0-0.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold