The potential use of hydrogen peroxide in water well rehabilitation
A water supply borehole in the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer in Warrington, UK was found to be
infested with iron bacteria that resulted in large ochreous deposits and damaged the pump. Before
the pump was replaced, the borehole was treated using hydrogen peroxide. Comparison of the
borehole condition seen in CCTV surveys carried out before and after treatment shows that
previously observed bacterial growths had been removed. A specific capacity curve was
constructed from step test data and used to assess the borehole yield under operational
conditions. This showed that the iron bacteria had increased drawdown by some 20% and
that the treatment had restored the previous yield characteristics. The improvement is
thought to be due to a mechanical scrubbing effect caused by the vigorous release of
oxygen bubbles during the decay of the peroxide.
Reference
Brassington, F.C., Macdonald, R.A., Dixon, J & Whitter, J.P. (2009) The
potential use of hydrogen peroxide in water well rehabilitation. Water and Environment Journal 23 69-74pp
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