What is iron bacteria
Iron bacteria are naturally occurring microorganisms that feed on dissolved iron in well water. Unlike dissolved iron (which just stains things orange), iron bacteria create slimy, reddish-brown deposits that clog pipes, fixtures, and water treatment equipment. The slime is biofilm — a colony of bacteria encased in iron-rich deposits.
Signs of iron bacteria vs dissolved iron
| Feature | Iron Bacteria | Dissolved Iron (No Bacteria) |
|---|
| Appearance | Slimy, reddish-brown deposits in toilet tanks, pipes | Orange/brown staining but no slime |
| Smell | Musty, swampy, oily odor | Metallic, sometimes sulfur smell |
| Toilet tank | Slimy orange/brown coating on walls | Orange staining but not slimy |
| Water clarity | May have floating particles | Clear until exposed to air |
| Treatment | Shock + continuous disinfection OR chemical oxidation | Air injection or greensand filter |
Why iron bacteria is harder to treat than dissolved iron
Dissolved iron is a chemistry problem — an air injection filter handles it reliably. Iron bacteria is a biology problem. The bacteria form protective biofilm that chemical treatments must penetrate. Simple air injection alone may not be effective for iron bacteria — the bacteria need to be killed, not just oxidized.
Treatment approach for iron bacteria
- Shock chlorination: Flush the well with high-concentration chlorine solution to kill bacteria throughout the system. Provides temporary relief — bacteria typically recolonize within weeks to months.
- Continuous chlorination: Chlorine dosing pump injects small amounts of bleach ahead of filtration. Kills bacteria on contact, prevents recolonization. Requires carbon filter downstream to remove chlorine before drinking.
- Chemical oxidation (peroxide injection): Hydrogen peroxide injection oxidizes both iron and kills iron bacteria. Combined with carbon filtration, this is the most effective long-term treatment.
- Air injection + UV: Air injection handles the iron; UV kills bacteria that pass through. Effective combination for moderate iron bacteria issues.
Does the Springwell WF1 handle iron bacteria?
The WF1's air injection oxidation process disrupts iron bacteria by oxidizing the iron they depend on. For mild iron bacteria cases, the WF1 combined with UV treatment downstream is effective. For severe iron bacteria infestations with heavy biofilm, chemical oxidation (peroxide injection) typically provides better results.
Springwell WF1 + UV →Related pages