Can phosphates treat biofilm & do they contribute to microbial growth?
The presence of microorganisms in wells and distribution systems is referred to as biofilm. Certain microorganisms related to Fe and Mn and sulfur have long been observed and implicated with staining problems. First noted in literature in 1833, “iron bacteria” has long been associated with problems in the delivery of quality water for domestic use. Iron bacteria is a generalized name for a wide ranging family of organisms classified as aerobic bacteria (living in the presence of oxygen) and anaerobic bacteria (living in or active in the absence of free oxygen such as in water). Iron bacteria have the ability to extract iron and manganese from water and deposit it in their slime or thread-like sheaths or on their surfaces. These bacteria may also be able to obtain iron from the pipe itself if it is made of iron. Other similar types of sulfur organisms are also capable of using sulfate in water as an energy source and producing hydrogen sulfide “rotten egg” odor. Sulfur bacteria also can
