BART Detection of Biofouling in Boreholes

MAJOR SYMPTOMS AND RESULTS OF BIOFOULING
• reduced water quality
• cloudy water
• reduced flow rates /production capacity
• increased drawdown, falling water levels
• corrosion
• taste and odour problems
• microbial loading in water increases
• higher iron and manganese content
• higher energy / operating costs
• scale build up in pipes
• extensive slime growth
• formation of plugs
• water well failure
• failed borehole pumps

The three BART tests form a simple yet effective method for monitoring the population size and/or activity of specific groups of bacteria.

IRB
detects Iron Related Bacteria of both iron-oxidizing and iron-reducing type including Gallionella, Crenothrix, Sphaerotilus, Siderocapsa, and Thiobacillus ferroxidans which cause taste & odour problems or “red water”.

SRB
detects Sulphate Reducing Bacteria a group of anaerobic bacteria that generate hydrogen sulphide to cause “rotten egg” odours, blackening of equipment, slime formations and initiation of corrosive processes.

SLYM
detects Slime Forming Bacteria that create slimes, turbidity, foul tastes and odours.

Each test consists of a small phial - pre-dosed with appropriate detecting chemicals – into which a sample of the water is placed : comparing colour reactions, over time, with diagnostic charts will determine types and concentrations of bacteria present.

BART gives boreholes a clear advantage

Water quality and conservation are never far from the headlines.

Although water boreholes take advantage of the abundant, unpolluted reserves of water underground, they are not immune from problems of water cleanliness and supply reliability.

Bio-fouling – the build-up of bacteria in well systems - can denigrate water quality as well as compromising the condition and efficiency of borehole equipment.

If unmonitored and untreated, bacterial growth can lead to cloudy water, taste and odour issues, increased microbial loading, and undesirable levels of iron and manganese.

Bio-fouling can also cause corrosion, build of scale, formation of plugs and extensive growth of slime in pipes. In turn, these may result in reduced flow rate & output, increased drawdown & falling water levels leading to higher energy consumption and operating costs. Ultimately, if left unchecked, there is a major risk of borehole pump failure and a seized water well.

Quick and easy to use, Proquip’s BART (Biological Activity Reaction Test) kits allow on-site analysis of borehole water to detect and monitor iron bacteria levels or other microbes that propagate bio-fouling. See our BART brochure and give your borehole a health-check before it’s too late