Hydrogen Peroxide in water

We often receive a question like this: “I have a liquid chlorine bleach well water chlorinator. I want to switch to injecting hydrogen peroxide instead. Can I clean out my existing chlorine metering pump and switch to peroxide?”

This is an excellent question, and often the answer is Yes.

Hydrogen peroxide (“H2O2”) is becoming very popular. It is a powerful oxidizing agent, much more powerful than aeration, chlorine, or potassium permanganate. Injected into your well water before the pressure tank, it can quickly kill bacteria, odors and oxidize iron and manganese.

Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into oxygen and water, leaving no trace of chemical residues. For problem well water containing iron, iron bacteria, manganese, and/or “rotten-egg” sulfur odor, “H2S” (hydrogen sulfide gas) hydrogen peroxide systems are an excellent choice.

When peroxide is added to water, a large amount of dissolved oxygen is released, and a powerful oxidizing effect occurs. Coliform and iron bacteria are killed, and tannins are oxidized.

Chlorine for well water treatment is usually liquid sodium hypochlorite bleach, or dry solid calcium hypochlorite pellets or powder and can leave inorganic and other chemical byproducts in the water.

Peroxide leaves no salts, metals, or chemical residuals. The only disadvantage is that it costs a little more than chlorine bleach.