Symptoms · 6 min
Iron bacteria in well water: slime, smell and stains
Iron bacteria create orange slime, clogging and odours in wells. Treatment often needs shock chlorination plus filtration — not a pitcher filter.
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What iron bacteria look like
Slimy orange or brown buildup in toilet tanks, musty or swampy smells, and rapid filter clogging can point to iron-related bacteria. They are not the same as E. coli, but they foul systems.
Fixing the well and the house
Pros often shock-chlorinate the well, then design oxidation/filtration and sometimes continuous disinfection. Recurrence is common without a proper mechanical plan.
Test first
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