Iron Bacteria (Borehole Slime)

Iron bacteria form a thick biofilm that clogs systems. It is not just dirt—it is a living organism that needs to be treated properly.

What you’ll usually notice

You may notice: – orange or brown slime – foul or oily smell – rapid filter clogging

What’s normally behind it

This usually happens when bacteria thrive in iron-rich environments. Typical causes include: – naturally occurring bacteria – oxygen entering the borehole

Why quick fixes don’t stick

Standard chlorine dosing is often not enough to remove established biofilm.

How this is normally handled

Water Usage Monitoring & Metering

This service diagnoses the real cause and fixes the system properly, not just the symptom.

What actually fixes it

This problem is normally handled by chemical treatment combined with mechanical cleaning and flushing.

What you can check yourself

You can check a few things yourself:
– inspect toilet cisterns for slime
– monitor how quickly filters clog

When to call someone in

If slime returns quickly after cleaning, the borehole requires proper rehabilitation.

Why does my borehole water look dirty or sandy?

Dirty or sandy borehole water usually indicates poor borehole development, pump placement issues, or the need for proper sediment and media filtration.

Why do filters block so quickly?

Filters blocking quickly is often due to incorrect filter selection, unexpected water quality issues, high sediment loads, or lack of staged pre-filtration.

Why is my water pressure low?

Low water pressure is usually caused by undersized pumps, incorrect pressure settings, pipe restrictions, or supply limitations from municipal, borehole, or tank-fed systems.

Why does my pump keep switching on and off?

Rapid pump cycling is typically caused by pressure tank issues, incorrect pressure switch settings, leaks, or pumps that are oversized for the system demand.

When should I call a water system professional?

You should call a professional when problems repeat, systems behave unpredictably, pumps fail regularly, or when you need clarity before making costly system changes.