How Do You Treat Iron Bacteria In Well Water?

Iron bacteria wreak havoc with well water distribution, often plugging up the mechanism. The sooner it is diagnosed, the quicker it can be treated to prevent costly maintenance and repair. Checking for iron bacteria is simple. It only takes a sample of well water allowed to sit for about 48 hours. When iron bacteria is present, an orange/red material is exhibited within the water. Iron bacteria can be treated one of several different ways. Pasteurize well water by forcing steam or very hot water into the well. For this to be effective the temperature must be over 140 degrees Fahrenheit and heat must be sustained for 1 to 2 hours. Disinfect the well with bleach, using about 4 quarts for every 500 gallons of water. In cases of a light case of iron bacterial infection caught early, this may be sufficient. Acid treat iron bacteria. While bleach may kill the bacteria, it does not dissolve the iron like acid will. Remove and replace any affected well parts. In some instances cleaning will ...  more