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What Are the Causes of Iron Bacteria?

Iron bacteria are also known as Gallionella. When iron bacteria are present, water takes on a reddish-brown color, slimy brown deposits appear on shorelines and surface water has an oily sheen. Iron bacteria is not a health hazard, but is unpleasant, can cause huge problems in water systems and is expensive to control.

  1. Types

    • According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, there are at least 18 different bacteria that are classified as "iron bacteria." They are naturally occurring, long string-like bacteria, and -- unlike other bacteria -- they do not feed off organic matter, but thrive by combining dissolved iron or manganese with oxygen.

    Causes

    • The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources claims that iron bacteria are present in water supplies all over the world. They have existed for millions of years, but only thrive when there is a plentiful supply of iron. Any iron rich bedrock or other iron rich material can create an iron bacteria problem whenever it is exposed to water and oxygen. The bacteria convert ferrous iron into ferric iron which is insoluble. It then sits on, or protrudes out of water and when it starts to decay forms slimy lumps.

    Detection

    • Red brown oleaginous deposits, and oily sheens that break apart when they are disturbed, are the first sign that iron bacteria are present. There might also be a foul smell, reminiscent of fuel or sewage, and debris in pipelines. Water samples can be tested for iron bacteria at The State Laboratory of Hygiene which will provide a test kit and be able to give answers within two weeks. As iron bacteria is volatile, samples should be taken after the suspect water system has been inactive for several hours.

    Prevention

    • As iron bacteria organisms are ever present, an iron bacteria infection, whatever the cause, is difficult and expensive to treat. There are few chemicals that can defeat iron bacteria because the bacterial cells are protected by layers of impenetrable slime. Prevention is better than cure and the best prevention is to be alert to the signs of iron bacteria infection and try to control the problem with repeated chlorination.

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