Iron Bacteria
By Peter Gitundu

When we talk of rusting in pipes and any other plumbing fixtures or stains, utensils and clothes in these fixtures, then we are talking of the effects of iron bacteria. It's a natural part of our environment and acquires energy needed for survival and multiplying through oxidation of dissolved ferrous iron, aluminum or manganese. They can be defined as micro-organisms that unite manganese dissolved in iron with oxygen to form rust-colored deposits.

You may be wondering why plumbing fixtures in your home gets corroded very fast. This is an effect of iron bacteria in water. Other effects of this organisms in water includes; odors in well water and an increase in chances of sulfur bacteria, clogging of pipes and creating an oily luster on water surface.

This organisms are harmless to the health of human beings. However,

they normally cause unpleasant effects such as undesirable taste and odor in water. To be certain whether they are present in water is quite simple. Mostly the water has a red, orange or yellow shade in color and smells like cucumber, fuel oil or sewage. Slimy masses also appear on the inner walls of the toilet tank.

Iron bacteria can be very challenging and actually difficult to treat once they appear on your well. However, we can take measures to prevent them. Such measures will include; disinfecting tools such as pipes and pumps with chlorine solution when drilling the well, cleaning the wells regularly with a shock chlorination or alternatively installing a chlorination unit. With this simple steps, then you wont have to incur expensive treatments or any inconveniences that may be caused by this organisms.