Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is effectively removed from potable water by the combined action of first chlorinating the water and then passing the chlorinated water through a bed of activated carbon. Chlorine is added in large doses to potable water containing dissolved hydrogen sulfide to convert substantially 90% of the hydrogen sulfide to sulfates. The chlorinated water containing residual hydrogen sulfide is then passed through a bed of activated carbon. Chemisorbed nascent oxygen in conjunction with the activated carbon catalytically affect breakdown of the remaining sulfide compounds into elemental sulfur.