National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Hydrogen sulfide
Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Hydrogen sulfide is a constituent of crude petroleum and natural gas; it is also released from decomposing waste in landfills and sewers and from food processing factories, coke ovens, paper mills, tanneries, and petroleum refineries.
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 3 |
- |
- |
| Water utilities | 244 |
- |
- |
| People Served | 653,895 |
- |
- |
Hydrogen sulfide Exposure by State
Water utilities in 3 states have reported detecting Hydrogen sulfide in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Hydrogen sulfide contamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | |
| California | 2 | 478,003 |
| New Hampshire | 241 | 175,844 |
| New York | 1 | 48 |
| Total | 244 | 653,895 |
The Most Polluted Communities
244 water utilities reported detecting Hydrogen sulfide in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Hydrogen sulfide level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin Consolidated School NH | 150 | 1 of 1 | 2340 ppb (2340 ppb) |
| 2 | Sanbornville Water Department Wakefield, NH | 1,500 | 1 of 1 | 1580 ppb (1580 ppb) |
| 3 | Stoneford Sandown, NH | 188 | 1 of 1 | 1330 ppb (1330 ppb) |
| 4 | River Run Condominiums Bartlett, NH | 675 | 2 of 2 | 1075 ppb (690 to 1460 ppb) |
| 5 | The Commons of Atkinson Atkinson, NH | 95 | 1 of 1 | 1020 ppb (1020 ppb) |
| 6 | Whispering Brook Bartlett, NH | 30 | 1 of 1 | 1000 ppb (1000 ppb) |
| 7 | Wakefield Engineering NH | 175 | 2 of 2 | 930 ppb (160 to 1700 ppb) |
| 8 | Brickyard I Plaza NH | 28 | 2 of 2 | 920 ppb (630 to 1210 ppb) |
| 9 | Fairfield HO Assoc Sandown, NH | 38 | 1 of 1 | 880 ppb (880 ppb) |
| 10 | Old Stagecoach Condos Epping, NH | 48 | 1 of 1 | 870 ppb (870 ppb) |
Testing Summary for Hydrogen sulfide
| Are tests routinely required for Hydrogen sulfide by federal law? | No |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Hydrogen sulfide (2004-2009): | 1,025 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.3 per year |