Iron Bacteria - Prevention

Prevention

Iron bacteria can be introduced into a well or water system during drilling, repair, or service. Elimination of iron bacteria once a well is heavily infested can be extremely difficult. Normal treatment techniques may be only partly effective. Good housekeeping practices can prevent iron bacteria from entering a well:

• Water placed in a well for drilling, repair, or priming of pumps should be disinfected, and should never be taken from a lake or pond.
• The well casing should be watertight, properly capped, and extend a foot or more above ground.
• When pumps, well pipes, and well equipment are repaired, they should not be placed on the ground where they could pick up iron bacteria.
• The well, pump, and plumbing should be disinfected when repaired.