Smelly water running out of the kitchen or bathroom faucet is very annoying! Is it safe? Odors compared to rotten eggs are not ideal in a family’s home drinking water faucets. Sulfates, which are a combination of sulfur and oxygen, are naturally occurring minerals.
    They are found in some soil and rock formations where groundwater is also found. Bacteria that feed on sulfur can produce hydrogen sulfide gas which is the primary offender when it comes to odor, reports Extension Educator Kathy Burr.
    Sulfates and hydrogen sulfide gas in drinking water are generally considered “nuisances” meaning they do not pose serious risks to human health.
    Elevated concentrations of sulfates can cause dehydration in small children or serve as a mild laxative for adults. However, most often people become acclimated to those levels and any issues tend to be minimized.
To read the full story, subscribe to the e-edition online or call the Breeze at 308-394-5389 to subscribe to the print edition