The option you choose also depends on how much water you need to treat. The most common method of treating large quantities of water is ion exchange . This process works similar to a water softener. Ion-exchange resin, contained inside the unit, adsorbs sulfate. When the resin is loaded to full capacity with sulfate, treatment ceases.
Distillation boils water to form steam that is then cooled and then recondensed.
Minerals, such as sulfate, do not vaporize with the steam and are left behind in the boiling chamber. Reverse osmosis membranes have a porosity that permits water molecules to pass through but leaves the large ions in solution. Please visit the Shock Chlorination page to get more information on this protocol. If the problem with the well is because of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria, a high level of chlorination, mixing, and turbulence may be needed. If hydrogen sulfide odor is associated primarily with the hot water system, a hot water heater modification may reduce the odor.