Sulfide in Water - Do-It-Yourself Test

Sulfide in water

Sources of sulfide in water

The “rotten egg” smell identifies the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the air, as this gas can be detected by its odor even at very low concentrations, below 0.8 µg/m3 in the air. 

Hydrogen sulfide forms through the hydrolysis of sulfides in water, but its level remains low in drinking water because sulfides are rapidly oxidized in well-aerated or chlorinated water. It is therefore found mainly in groundwater or stagnant water lacking oxygen.

Standards for sulfide in water

WHO has not established a guideline value because the levels found in drinking water are considered to pose no health concern. 

The taste and odor detection thresholds for hydrogen sulfide in water are estimated at between 0.05 and 0.1 mg/l.

Effects of sulfide on the body

Although inhaling hydrogen sulfide is highly toxic to humans, causing eye irritation at levels as low as 15 to 30 mg/m3, poisoning from drinking water remains unlikely.

Test the sulfide level in your water independently

This test strip method is extremely simple. It includes 50 strips.

Take a test strip and dip it into the water	After the specified time, compare the strip's color with the scale on the back of the container.

The result scale is as follows  0; 5; 10; 20; 30; 40; 50; 60; 80.

Test the sulfide level in water with a photometer

Testing procedure with the iDip photometer

This kit of 50 strips allows you to measure sulfide in your water. 

These strips and reagents allow you to measure sulfide in your water using the IDIP photometer. It is very simple to use:

1. Open the app on your mobile phone and turn on the photometer.

2. Add water to the tester's designated test cell

3. Dip the strip into the water for 20 seconds

4. View the result directly on the photometer, and the result is automatically saved to your phone.

This water testing system is fast, reliable, modern, expandable, and comprehensive, making it THE most accessible system.

Testing procedure with the Micro20 photometer

• TURN ON THE DEVICE - Turn on the photometer by pressing the ON/ZERO button. The display will show all indicators, then the selected menu, then the most recent results.
• SELECT THE GROUP AND PARAMETERS -  Press the SELECT button repeatedly to choose the group: the sulfide test is in group 7. Then press the MENU button repeatedly to select the test parameters: S. (You will find all this information in a table in the user manual supplied with the device).
• RINSE AND FILL THE TEST CELL - Rinse the test cell at least 3 times with the water you will be testing (to reduce the risk of cross-contamination from your previous test). Fill the small cell completely with the water to be tested, then tilt the photometer to drain approximately 0.2 ml of water from the cell to make room for the liquid reagent.
• ADD THE DROPS - Add 4 drops of the liquid reagent, and cover the test cell with its protective cap. Note: make sure the bottle is upright when adding the drops.
• ZERO - Press the ON/ZERO button. The cursor will move across the display, which will then show 0.00 PPM. This indicates that the sample is ready to be tested.
• DIP THE STRIP AND PRESS READ - Take a strip, dip it into the test cell, and immediately press the READ button to start the 20-second countdown. Remove the strip after "1" disappears from the display. The photometer will automatically start the analysis. The result will appear within a few seconds.