Iron Bacteria in Minnesota Well Water

What is Iron Bacteria?

Iron bacteria are living organisms in nature, identified by various names, including: Gallionella, Sphaerotilus, Crenothrix, Sidelocapsa or Leptothrix.  Iron bacteria in water use dissolved ferrous iron (Fe+2) and oxygen as part of their normal metabolic processes.

Iron bacteria can occur in surface water or well water containing iron — even very low levels of iron — as long as the water has some free oxygen. It can grow in darkness or in the light.

Iron Bacteria's Effects on Your Home and Health

Iron bacteria is a "nuisance" contaminant with no known health effects. It growth creates a jelly-like slime that can build up on well screens, inside pipes and water treatment equipment, and in toilets and other plumbing fixtures. (Slime can also be caused by other types of bacteria.) Common problems include:

• Reduced well yields, plugging and “sliming” of water system equipment
• Corrosion of metal water system components
• Foul odor of water that may resemble smell of fuel oil, cucumbers or sewage
• Discoloration of water when masses break free

EPA Regulation of Iron Bacteria in Water

Iron bacteria is not listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as either a primary or secondary contaminant.

Iron itself is a secondary contaminant, meaning that it can have undesirable effects on water’s taste, odor or appearance, but its levels are not enforceable under federal law. EPA sets a recommended maximum level for iron in drinking water at 0.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L), or 0.3 parts per million (ppm).

Recommended Treatment Methods for Iron Bacteria in Water

As a general rule of thumb, you should have a Qualified Premier Water Technician perform a FREE WATER TEST to measure the level of Iron Bacteria in your water. There may also be additional elements that require different or additional treatment methods to guarantee Iron Bacteria removal.

The following solutions have been tested and approved for Iron Bacteria removal:

• Iron Filters that use oxidation-disinfection with continuous feed and longer contact times with either chlorine or hydrogen peroxide. These systems also use a filter tank with a proprietary media blend to capture oxidized iron and other contaminants.