Treating Iron Bacteria in Well and Tap Water
In order to survive, bacteria feed on iron, and while doing that, they metabolize the iron to a protective slime layer around the cells. This makes them difficult to eliminate as they become resistant to elimination techniques.
In order to survive, bacteria feed on iron, and while doing that, they metabolize the iron to a protective slime layer around the cells. This makes them difficult to eliminate as they become resistant to elimination techniques. These bacteria leave off yellowish slime or reddish brown slime that may eventually clog plumbing and pollute iron filters. Treating iron bacteria in tap water or well is therefore very important.
Sometimes, you may take note of the rust color or yellowish slime in your toilet tank when the lid is lifted. Apart from producing plumbing and fixture problems, these bacteria clog also reduce well yields, and clog well screens. They also produce unpleasant smell.
Treating Iron Bacteria
Although chlorine disinfects effectively, it may be unable to penetrate beyond the surface cells due to the build-up of thick slime produced by the iron bacteria. The effectiveness of chlorine may also be deterred by the presence of manganese, iron and hydrogen sulfide gas in well water; these can absorb a larger amount of the chlorine, preventing it from penetrating the bacterial cells. For these reasons and more, effectively treating iron bacteria water infestation will not be achieved by merely adding chlorine into the well.
For effective treatment, chlorine (about 8 quarts of 5.25 percent) should be added in 100 gallons of water. The purpose is to obtain a measure or amount that is above the quantity of water standing in the well. Therefore, using 100 gallons makes a safe estimate where this is unknown. You can empty the solution into the well. There is need for an external faucet or hose bib, while the other end of the hose is placed into the well. As the faucet is opened, the chlorine solution or mixture should be circulated for at least 60 minutes, to allow it wash down the internal of the pump piping and casing. Open your house faucets to see if you can identify the smell of chlorine and then close them up. The solution should be left in the well and piping overnight before releasing it from the system. Using chlorine test kit (if you have one), test for chlorine residual; if the result is anything below 10 ppm, you may have to go through the shock chlorination process all over again. Ensure that you discharge the chlorine solution outdoors (preferably into a ditch), ensure that it does not come in contact with a stream or pond. It is also not good for flower plants and grasses as it may kill them.
After a new well is drilled, the groundwater can be infested by soil containing bacteria; this soil that has bacteria may have found its way into the groundwater from pipes laid on the ground. Another way that well may be infected with iron bacteria is through surface water that was used for drilling. Also, a well that is poorly constructed or maintained can get infested when surface water leaks into it. All these sources can contaminate the well. Therefore, treating iron bacteria in well water or tap water is necessary to prevent clogging of pipe and plumbing work.
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Snehil Shrivastva is the author of this article on Wellhead and Christmas tree.
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