Manganese Bacteria In Well Water

The bacteria feed on iron and manganese in water.

Manganese bacteria in well water. These microorganisms live in some water supplies and feed on the dissolved manganese and oxygen present in the water. A problem that frequently results from iron or manganese in water is iron or manganese bacteria. These colloidal sediments tend to form when iron and manganese combine with organic matter tannins in the water and produce the staining properties of water containing high concentrations of iron and manganese. This is because iron bacteria thrive in anaerobic environments devoid of oxygen like wells while coliform bacteria commonly manifests itself as e.

These nonpathogenic not health threatening bacteria occur in soil shallow aquifers and some surface waters. Manganese is usually dissolved in water although some shallow wells contain colloidal manganese black tint. Coli or fecal coliform. Iron and manganese are not health concerns in drinking water.

Such bacterial contamination is not uncommon in well water systems situated in areas susceptible to sewage runoff near farms or near deposits of coal peat oil etc. A problem that frequently results from iron or manganese in water is iron or manganese bacteria. A survey by penn state found excessive iron concentrations in 17 of the private water supplies sampled in the state. In deep water wells manganese can be found in concentrations as high as 2 to 3 parts per million although amounts are usually smaller.

Iron and sulfur bacteria can live together in a household water supply system so it can be very difficult to. As little as 005 parts per million ppm can cause black and brown staining. These non pathogenic non health threatening bacteria feed on iron and manganese in water forming red brown iron or black brown manganese slime often detected in toilet tanks and can clog water systems. Although iron and manganese can occur in wells and springs throughout pennsylvania they are most common in northern and western counties.

Most common types of nuisance bacteria are iron manganese and sulfur bacteria. Manganese often exists with iron and the two together often make chocolate colored brown stains.