SULFATE IN DRINKING WATER Issue #

Sulfate in
Drinking
Water

Kristin Hall

Issue Date

What is Sulfate? How Does Sulfate get into

Drinking Water?
Sulfates are a combination of
Water leached from mine
sulfur and oxygen and can be Sulfates can get into drinking shafts
found naturally in many different water from various natural and
minerals. It is also found Road Salts
man-made sources.
commonly in soil. Sulfates like to Wastewater from
form salts with a variety of Natural sources include: industrial and
elements such as potassium, municipalities
Decaying plants and Copper Sulfates and
sodium and magnesium.
animal matter Aluminum Sulfates that
Minerals dissolving into are used to treat drinking
underground water
Water leached from
surrounding soil
Man-Made sources include:

Coal burning plants

releasing sulfate into the
air that then mixes with
rain
(Picture of sodium sulfate) Agricultural run off
SULFATE IN DRINKING WATER | Issue #
Can Sulfate Affect Your
Health?
Overall, sulfate is considered to
be non-toxic. The worst possible
side effects of consuming too
much sulfates include diarrhea
and intestinal discomfort, which
can also lead to dehydration. This
would only occur if you drank
more than 500 milligrams per
liter. However, the average adult
tends to gain tolerance over time
when theyre constantly exposed
to it in their drinking water. High
amounts of sulfate exposure
poses more of a concern for the
elderly and infants since they can
be more severely affected by the
effects of consuming too much
sulfate.
Other Problems Caused By
Sulfate
Animals are more sensitive to
sulfates than your average adult
and it will cause similar symptoms
experienced by humans (diarrhea,
intestinal discomfort &
dehydration). Also like humans,
animals can also gain tolerance to
sulfate over time. High amounts
of sulfate are also corrosive for
plumbing especially if you have
copper pipes.
2
How Can You Tell If You sulfates is classified as a
secondary contaminate by the
Have Sulfate In Your
EPA (Environmental Protection
Water?
Agency) which means that states
If water has excessive amounts of dont have mandatory regulations
sulfate in it, the water may have a for sulfate. For more information
somewhat bitter/medicinal taste regarding sulfate, research your
to it. Your water could also have a local water or utilities provider for
rotten egg smell to it as well. a water report.
Oder and smell doesnt
necessarily mean that you have Additional Sources
excessive amounts of sulfate in http://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations
your water because there are /secondary-drinking-water-standards-
guidance-nuisance-chemicals
many other things that can cause
strange smells and tastes. If you http://www.lenntech.com/sulfates.htm#How
want to test your water for %20does%20sulfate%20enter%20our%20w
ater%20supplies?
sulfate, contact a local water
quality testing facility for http://www.saskh2o.ca/PDF-
WaterCommittee/sulphate.pdf
information on how to sample
your tap water as well as http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-
education2/76-chloride-sulfate.htm
instructions and containers.
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health
How Can I Remove Sulfates /dwq/chemicals/sulfate.pdf
From My Water?
There are several different at
home methods that you can use
to filter sulfates out of your
water. Common methods include
reverse osmosis or distillation.
They work like almost every other
water filter where it forces water
to go through a membrane that
impurities such as sulfate cannot
pass through. Most of these
filters remove 93% to 99% of
sulfate that can be found in your
drinking water. Keep in mind that
carbon filters, water softeners
and sediment filters will not
remove sulfates.
More Information
Regarding Sulfate
The recommended level of
sulfates in drinking water is 250
milligrams per liter, however,