Removing sulfur from water is important for homes that rely on well water and the best way to do this is by using an effective water filtration system. While there are many water filters that claim to remove sulfur, it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. But don’t worry—that’s where we come in.
The best sulfur filter for well water is the SpringWell WS, which removes 8 PPM hydrogen sulfide, 7 PPM iron and 1 PPM manganese. For homes with very high sulfur levels, we recommend the US Water Systems Matrixx Infusion System instead, as it can remove up to 30 ppm of hydrogen sulfide.
- Flow Rate: 12 GPM
- Hydrogen Sulfide Removal: 8 ppm
- Warranty: Lifetime Warranty
- Flow Rate: 10 GPM (with further options)
- Hydrogen Sulfide Removal: 30 ppm of hydrogen sulfide
- Warranty: Lifetime on the tank, 10 years on the valves and electronics, 5 years on the precise injection panel
- Flow Rate: N/A
- Hydrogen Sulfide Removal: 5 ppm of hydrogen sulfide
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty on the tank and valves, 5-year warranty on the electronic control head
1. SpringWell WS – Best Sulfur Removal System
- Flow Rate: 12 GPM
- Hydrogen Sulfide Removal: 8 ppm
- Warranty: Lifetime Warranty
Although a bit less effective when compared to other units on our list like the USWS Matrixx, the SpringWell WS is an excellent choice for those with minimal sulfur in their water.
Here are some of the key features we liked the most:
Effective Hydrogen Sulfide Removal
The hydrogen sulfide levels in well water rarely reach as high as 30 ppm. In fact, the average presence of hydrogen sulfide in well water is 0.5 ppm throughout the United States.
That’s why the SpringWell WS remains one of the best options for families who rely on private wells for their daily water supply. Its 8 ppm hydrogen sulfide removal capacity is adequate for most households.
SpringWell’s product employs dissolved oxygen to oxidize hydrogen sulfide through an air pocket at the tank’s top side. Then, a green sand fusion traps the oxidized sulfur particles.
It Has Advanced Backwash Technology
The SpringWell WS features an innovative piece of technology called Empress Vortech that makes the backwash process faster. The vortex created by the Empress Vortech tec also allows the filtration media to be thoroughly cleansed because it creates more contact surface between the backwashing water and the green sand.
You Can Monitor the Process via an App
Additionally, all SpringWell water treatment products have a system head allowing you to run your backwash cycles and monitor the filtration process via a BlueTooth app. SpringWell WS is no exception to that rule. In fact, the app is one of our favorite features of this system. Instead of having to inspect the filters manually, we can simply open the app and see exactly how long is left before they need replacement.
- The 8 ppm hydrogen sulfide removal capacity is excellent for average households
- Empress Vortech ensures optimum backwash
- Bluetooth app integration, which is something we always look out for when testing systems as it makes monitoring and maintenance a breeze
- Made in the USA, so it’s easy to source replacement parts
- Lifetime warranty, which gives us confidence in the system and also means repairs and replacements are covered
- Not the most impressive product in terms of hydrogen removal capacity
2. US Water Systems Matrixx Infusion System – Best For High Sulfur Levels
- Flow Rate: 10 GPM (with further options)
- Hydrogen Sulfide Removal: 30 ppm of hydrogen sulfide
- Warranty: Lifetime on the tank, 10 years on the valves and electronics, 5 years on the precise injection panel
The US Water Systems Matrixx Infusion is our top choice for well water with extremely high sulfur levels. The 30 ppm hydrogen removal capacity makes it a more than adequate match for any sulfur concentration.
Here are the key features we liked:
- Hydrogen Peroxide AIO tech: The US Water Systems Matrixx employs AIO, similar to most other products on the market. However, the device is quite unique because of the oxidation agent utilized in the process. While other devices depend on chlorine, dissolved oxygen, or potassium permanganate for oxidation, Matrixx injects hydrogen peroxide. The injection process is remarkably precise, too, thanks to the innovative Stenner Injection Panel.
- Vortech: Additionally, Matrixx uses an innovative technology called Vortech for the backwash cycle that cleanses the device’s filtration media from trapped contaminants. Thanks to the Vortech technology, the backwash process is more thorough and takes less time.
- Iron Removal: In addition to its hydrogen sulfide reduction, Matrixx is one of the best iron filters on the market. Thanks to its employment of hydrogen peroxide, it removes up to 20 ppm of iron from well water.
- Flow Rate Versatility: The device comes with different flow rate options: 10 GPM (1-3 bathrooms), 15 GPM (4-6 bathrooms), and 20-25 GPM (7+ bathrooms). Inevitably, as the flow rate option increases, so does the number on the price tag.
- Removes 30 ppm of hydrogen sulfide, which means it’s suitable for even the most contaminated water supplies
- The precise air injection panel is what enables it to remove such high levels of hydrogen sulfide
- Vortech backwash tech ensures shorter and more thorough cleansing
- Removes 20 ppm of iron
- Lifetime warranty on the tank
- It’s by far the most expensive option on our list, but with sulfur removal levels this high, it’s hard to argue that it’s not worth it
- Electronic components have five to ten years of warranty
- Requires professional installation, which adds to the cost even more
3. SoftPro Iron Master
- Flow Rate: N/A
- Hydrogen Sulfide Removal: 5 ppm of hydrogen sulfide
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty on the tank and valves, 5-year warranty on the electronic control head
The SoftPro Iron Master is primarily designed to remove iron from your well water. However, this whole-house filter is also effective at removing sulfur at a rate of up to 5 ppm.
Clearly, this isn’t as good as the SpringWell WS but when we considered the SoftPro Iron Master’s other features and affordable price, we realized it more than deserves a place on our list. Let’s take a look at some of its best features:
Air Injection Oxidation (AIO) Technology
We’re always pleased when we find out a filter system uses AIO tech as it’s usually a sign that the system will have excellent contaminant removal capabilities. Based on our tests, this is definitely the case with the SoftPro Iron Master.
The AIO tech creates a compressed air bubble within the filter tank, which oxygenates water as it passes through. The water is then passed through a specialized Katalox filter media which removes iron (30 ppm), manganese (7 ppm), and sulfur (5 ppm).
One of the best things about AIO tech is that the process is free of chemicals as it uses oxygen rather than anything unnatural. This removes the risk of any chemical leakage into the water you use in your home.
Easy Maintenance
The fact that this unit uses AIO tech also means you don’t need to add salt or chemicals to the system to maintain it. Plus, the Iron Master even performs automatic backwash and regeneration cycles. We found this to be one of the easiest-to-maintain systems we’ve tested. It’s pretty much the definition of a “set and forget” unit.
Durability and Lifetime Warranty
Another thing that really impressed us was the durability of the Iron Master. Its tank is made from fiberglass, which is highly resistant to corrosion. This is particularly important for filtering well water as it tends to contain high levels of contaminants that can quickly lead to corrosion in systems made with less durable materials.
If anything does happen to the tank (which is relatively unlikely), you’re covered—SoftPro provides a lifetime warranty on the tank and control valve. So, you won’t need to pay out of pocket for any repairs or replacements to these components. Just bear in mind that the electronic control head only comes with a 5-year warranty.
- It’s the most affordable option we evaluated
- Its tank is made from fiberglass, which is super resistant to corrosion
- The tank comes with a lifetime warranty, which shows you the confidence SoftPro has in its durability
- It effectively removes sulfur from well water as well as other contaminants including iron and manganese
- As it uses AIO tech, it doesn’t require any chemicals or salt to function
- Doesn’t remove as much hydrogen sulfide as the other two systems on our list
- SoftPro doesn’t appear to share information about the maximum flow rate the system can achieve
Popular Questions About Sulfur Water Filters
- What’s the reason behind the rotten eggs smell of water?: Before purchasing a sulfur filter, it’s imperative to identify the root of the rotten eggs’ smell. There are a couple of reasons why you may be experiencing a sulfur smell at your faucets:
– Hydrogen sulfide bacteria/gas inside the drains: If hydrogen sulfide bacteria are forming inside your drains, the faucets and sinks above those drains will emit a rotten eggs’ smell. You can gauge whether the smell originates from the water supply or the drains by taking the water you collect from your faucets out to fresh air in a cup and smelling it. If the water doesn’t smell, you should call a plumber and have your drains checked and sanitized.
– Sulfur bacteria inside the water heater: Sulfur bacteria may also form inside your water heater, especially if you haven’t used or cleaned the heater for a while. If that’s the case, only the hot water will stink of rotten eggs. Once you confirm, call a professional and check your water heater.
– Contaminated private well: Municipal authorities often disinfect water lines with chlorine and chloramines, so municipal water rarely has a rotten eggs problem. Private wells are a different matter. Wells and aquifers near sulfur-rich soil and rocks are especially likely to be contaminated with hydrogen sulfide bacteria. - How do I test my well water for hydrogen sulfide?: Usually, the smell of rotten eggs is an obvious giveaway for hydrogen sulfide. However, if you want indisputable scientific proof that there’s hydrogen sulfide is present in your water supply, you should collect a water sample from one of your cold water faucets (to eliminate the potential contamination in the water heater) and send it to a water testing lab certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. You'll receive a detailed analysis of your water for a price ranging between $25 and $400 and a period between a couple of days to a couple of weeks. This analysis will let you know which contaminants are in your water and at what levels, including hydrogen sulfide.
- How much does a sulfur filter cost on average?: A good sulfur filter costs approximately $2,000-$3,000. That said, the US Water Systems Matrixx Infusion System on our list is above that range at $3,245.72. The SoftPro Iron Master, on the other hand, is well below the lower limit with its $1,519 price tag.
