How to Get Rid of Iron Sulfur Bacteria

Iron bacteria are the result of well water that contains heavy concentrations of iron and manganese. These two chemicals combine with oxygen and form rust-colored deposits in pipes and water appliances. Over time, if left untreated, these deposits can build up to clog well pump screens, corrode metal pipes and tarnish plumbing fixtures. While iron bacteria may not cause health problems, the results can be unpleasant. Complete elimination of the iron may be impossible as the iron can be in the ground water itself, but controlling the iron bacteria can be part of an ongoing well-treatment program.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Household bleach (one to two gallons)
• Garden hose

1. Open the top of the well casing. Pour the full contents of the bottle of bleach into the well.

2. Connect the garden hose to an outdoor water spigot. Place the other end of the hose down inside the well casing. Turn the outdoor spigot on. Wash down the inside of the well casing with the bleach water that is coming from the garden hose. Allow the water to run for up to one hour. Shut the outdoor hose spigot off.

3. Open all interior cold water faucets, one at a time. Run the water until a strong bleach smell is detected. Shut off the cold-water faucet. Allow the water system to sit, with the bleach water inside the plumbing pipes, for at least 24 hours.

4. Purge the water system of the chlorinated water. Open the garden hose spigot and allow the discharge water to run in an area that will not be damaged by the heavy concentration of chlorine water, i.e., an area free of plants and vegetation. The chlorine will soon evaporate from the discharged water. Close the outdoor spigot. Open the interior water faucets and run the water until the chlorine smell has diminished from these spigots as well.

5. Perform the same treatment again if the water begins to take on a rust-colored appearance. Test the water by taking a sample and sending it off to the local health department if the iron bacteria persists after a couple of treatments.

Tips & Warnings

• Generally after an initial treatment, the well may only have to have a minute amount of bleach added on a monthly basis.
• Install a series of water filters to catch any larger iron particles that the bleach will coagulate. Typically a paper water filter can be installed before a carbon activated cartridge. The carbon filter will aid in removing the chlorine smell from a regularly maintained well system.

References

• Iron Bacteria in Drinking Water

Resources

• Sulfur Odors in Wells