Weil-McLain GL-E223-ADOC 0311 manual Water quality problems, 1Water smells like “rotten eggs.”

AQUA PLUS indirect-fired water heaters — Product Manual

Troubleshooting (continued)

Water quality problems

1Water smells like “rotten eggs.”

•The most common cause of water to smell like “rotten eggs” is a non-toxic sulfate reducing bacteria.

•The bacteria usually enters into the water system through a break in the supply piping or during construction/maintenance of the supply piping.

•The bacteria survives in the water system by converting sulfate (SO4) in the water to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas.

•It is this gas that creates the “rotten egg” smell.

•The presence of hydrogen sulfide can also affect the taste of the water.

•Along with the stench caused by this bacteria, black deposits that typically indicate pipe and/or fitting corrosion may also appear in the water.

In extremely high concentrations, hydrogen sulfide gas can be toxic. However, the gas is detectable prior to reaching harmful levels.

•The bacteria will thrive in any water system under the following conditions:

•High levels of sulfur in the water

•Activated hydrogen in the water from cathodic reactions within the tank

•Water with little or no dissolved oxygen

•Storing the domestic water below 130ºF

•Other causes of smelly water:

•Chlorides of magnesium and calcium gives water a bitter taste

•Chloride of sodium will produce a salty tasting water

•Sulfates above 50 ppm in the water gives the water a medicinal taste.

•Carbon dioxide in water with a low pH results in water that is fizzy.

•Iron and tannic waters will produce water with a bad taste and odor.

•Treatment

•The treatment of this situation requires the water system to be shock-chlorinated. Depending on the severity of the bacteria within the water system, several treatments may be needed.

2Milky water.

•When water is initially drawn from the faucet it appears to be milky or cloudy, but it becomes clear after the water is allow to stand for several minutes.

•This is usually an indication that the water contains high levels of soluble gases, such as oxygen, chlo- rine, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide or others.

•As the water system pressure increases, the amount of gas that water can hold in a solution decreas- es.

•When air and gases are forced out of the heated water, the problem may be evident in one or both of the following conditions:

•Gases, in the form of small bubbles, may make the water appear milky from the tap, but clear after several minutes when those bubbles will separate.

Part number GL-E223-ADOC 0311 37