Abstract: A method for treating water removed from the ground is disclosed. The treatment reduces the content of noxious sulfur-containing impurities therein before the water is supplied to an associated water system. The method involves the steps of spraying the water to be treated in the upper portion of a standpipe, entraining air with the water which is sprayed in the upper portion of the standpipe, and maintaining a required water level in the standpipe. Spraying the water to be treated in the standpipe causes a flow of water from within the standpipe through a bed of a catalyst for the oxidation of sulfur and sulfur-containing moieties to sulfate anions and from the catalyst bed to the associated water system. The water level maintained in the standpipe is that required to enable the flow of water therefrom through the catalyst bed to the associated water system.