What Are Iron Bacteria Made from?

Iron bacteria are largely composed of iron, as its name suggests. However, these bacteria and the ochre they produce will also be made up of other elements as well. 

• Ferrous Iron and Manganese 

Iron bacteria thrives off of minerals dissolved from water, namely ferrous iron and manganese. These elements on their own are not at all toxic or harmful. Ferrous iron and other iron minerals, however, are more susceptible to rusting, which can stain the water you drink, your plumbing as a whole, and even your laundry as it washes. 

Manganese is actually quite healthy for humans to ingest in small doses of well under 0.05 milligrams per liter. However, like copious amounts of ferrous iron, it can stain your water an unsightly brown color. This water may also stain other materials it comes into contact with. 

Together, these elements can be hard to remove from surfaces, requiring heavy-duty chemicals or even mechanical treatments. The best solution, however, is in a clog-free drainage system like the BasementGutter™ Iron Ochre System. You will never have to worry about your pipes clogging with gross, rusty residue nor a flooded basement ever again with this system at work. 

• How Does Iron Ochre Form? 

Iron ochre is a waste by-product of iron bacteria. Essentially, it is created when the ferrous iron in iron bacteria oxidizes (or rusts). This occurs because the iron will react with the oxygen found in the water to form rust. It is a natural chemical reaction that cannot exactly be prevented, especially if it takes place in your plumbing without your knowledge. 

It will not help if the iron bacteria infestation is still in its relatively early stages. Ferrous iron is also referred to as “clear-water iron” because it will first appear to be clear when you pour it into a glass. Over time (usually within a day), however, it will turn a rusty red or brown in color. If enough iron ochre oxidizes in your pipes, then this discoloration may be more immediate (such as when you turn on your faucet). 

This is why you need a fast-acting, powerful drainage system like the BasementGutter™ Iron Ochre System. Its pipes will never give iron bacteria a chance to oxidize enough to make iron ochre. Iron bacteria will simply wash out of the system entirely.