Sulfate

GENERAL INFORMATION
Sulfate is a substance that occurs naturally in drinking water.

HEALTH EFFECTS
People unaccustomed to drinking water with elevated levels of sulfate can experience diarrhea and dehydration. Infants are often more sensitive to sulfate than adults. As a precaution, water with a sulfate level exceeding 400 mg/L should not be used in the preparation of infant formula. Older children and adults become accustomed to high sulfate levels after a few days.

AESTHETIC EFFECTS
If sulfate in water exceeds 250 mg/L, a bitter or medicinal taste may render the water unpleasant to drink. High sulfate levels may also corrode plumbing, particularly copper piping. In areas with high sulfate levels, plumbing materials more resistant to corrosion, such as plastic pipe, are commonly used.

Standard value 1: 
250.00
Standard units 1: 
ppm
Input units: 
mg/L
ppm
Contaminant group: 
Inorganic major constituent
Standard type 1: 
SMCL
Action is recommended 1: 

SMCL ADVISORY - ACTION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Sulfate levels were detected in your water sample to exceed the secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL).

Action is optional 1: 

ACTION IS OPTIONAL
Sulfate levels were detected in your water sample but do not exceed the secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL).

Typical range in Ohio: 
25 - 320
Range qualifier: 
higher range values in northwestern Ohio bedrock aquifers
Major sources in drinking water: 
Erosion of earth materials
Treatment options: 

TREATMENT OPTIONS
Three types of treatment systems will remove sulfate from drinking water: -Reverse Osmosis, -Distillation, or -Ion exchange Water softeners, carbon filters, and sediment filters do not remove sulfate. Water softeners merely change magnesium or calcium sulfate into sodium sulfate, which is somewhat more laxative.

Website resources: 

WATER RESOURCES