having a rotten egg odor indicating the presence of 

 hydrogen sulfide (commonly referred to as sulfur 

 water). To remove, spray the water into the air 

 over a collecting basin, or cause it to flow over 

 baffles so that the hydrogen sulfide gas will be re- 

 leased into the air. Protect the aeration equip- 

 ment so that contaminants cannot enter the water. 



Activated carbon treatment consists of passing 

 the water through granular or powdered activated 

 carbon which adsorbs large quantities of dissolved 

 gases, liquids, and finely divided solids. This 

 treatment is extremely effective in taste and odor 

 control. Activated carbon can be used in filters 

 available from manufacturers of water-condition- 

 ing and treatment equipment. 



Superchlorination also is effective in reducing 

 tastes and odors present in water. Add chlorine 

 to the water in excessive amounts (superchlorina- 

 tion) to provide a minimum chlorine residual of 

 3.0 mg/1 for a contact period of at least 5 min- 

 utes. Remove the excess chlorine (dechlorination) 

 to eliminate the objectionable taste. A good 

 method is to Use filters of activated carbon. 



Algae are the most frequent cause of taste and 

 odors in farm water supply systems. To control 

 algae, treat the water with copper sulfate or, 

 when feasible, cover the storage unit to exclude 

 sunlight. The amount of copper sulfate required 

 varies with the particular species or organism in- 

 volved. A dose of 0.3 mg/1 (1 ounce in 25,000 

 gallons of water) will generally control most algal 

 growth likely to cause trouble in drinking water. 

 Even this small amount will damage milk flavors 

 if the treated water is used in milkhouse sanitation 

 without removing the copper. 



Softening: Hardness of water is due, in large 

 part, to the presence of calcium and magnesium 

 compounds. Water dissolves these minerals as it 

 passes through soil and rock formations. 



Water softening is not usually considered neces- 

 sary or economical unless the total hardness ex- 

 ceeds 100 mg/1. In this case, the better and easier 

 cleaning obtained along with the savings in de- 

 tergent probably will pay for the softener. 



Water softeners are simple machines and the 

 cost of operation is low. Before a water softener 

 is installed, the water should be analyzed to de- 

 termine how much softening capacity is required. 

 Most dealers who handle water softeners provide 

 this service. 



The Water Systems Council's publication, 

 "Water System and Treatment Handbook," sum- 

 marizes methods of water treatment in a useful 

 table (797). 



livestock 

 water supplies 



129 



