Clearbore Water Bore Cleaner FAQ
The following is a listing of the most comonly asked questions about bore water, iron bacteria, Clearbore application, its safety and envirnomental impact, and the red sludge that commonly blocks bore water pumps and water bores.
If you have other questions that are not answered here please contact us directly using our Contact Form and we will respond to your questions as soon as possible.
IRON IN GROUNDWATER, HOW IS IT CAUSED?
Dissolved iron in groundwater is a natural occurrence. As rainwater permeates the strata of the earth various minerals mix with the water. The most common are iron, manganese and calcium. Iron appears as a red or brown precipitate, calcium as white and manganese as black.
WHAT IS THE RED SLUDGE THAT BLOCKS THE BORE & PUMP?
The sludge is the result of iron-related bacteria interacting with the dissolved iron in the water forming ferric oxides Fe3+. These bacteria are harmless to mammals.
ARE THESE BACTERIA IN ALL BORES?
No, they are more common in groundwater drawn through sandstone.
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT A BLOCKAGE CAUSED BY IRON?
It is a simple case of using Clearbore to dissolve the sludge and encrustations causing the blockage. Full instructions are supplied in every pail of Clearbore. For large flow turbine pumps see 'Using Clearbore in Larger Flow Bores'.
WHAT IS CLEARBORE?
Clearbore is a chemical designed to dissolve the sludge and encrustations caused by iron and iron-related bacteria. Clearbore is manufactured in a granular form and packed in 5kg, 10kg and 20kg pails. The concept of a granular product is to minimise the cost of freight. Because it is granular, you don't pay for added water.
IS IT DANGEROUS TO USE?
Although Clearbore is a toxic product it is non-volatile and safe to use. As with all products of its type, however, safe-handling procedures should be followed. A Material Safety Data Sheet for Clearbore is available from Clearbore Pty. Ltd.
WILL IT POISON THE WATER?
While the Clearbore process is taking place the treatment water will be unfit for consumption by mammals, and should be pumped onto waste ground afterwards. After treatment and flushing, the water can be tested for any Clearbore residue using the testing solution supplied in each pail.
THE WATER FLOW NEVER VARIES STAINS ARE THE PROBLEM.
There are probably very little iron-related bacteria present; however the iron in the water will precipitate as a stain when exposed to the atmosphere.
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE STAINS?
CAN THE WATER SUPPLY BE IMPROVED?
A clean pump and bore does not mean the end of the iron problem. Because the groundwater is constantly flowing through the system there can be no residual effect from any cleaning. The simplest way to control iron in water is to pump the water into a holding tank and aerate it by placing a baffle plate in front of the inlet. This will allow the iron to precipitate and sink to the bottom of the tank quickly. The water should then be drawn from the tank by means of a floating suction.
WILL IT POISON THE GROUND?
No, when Clearbore is dissolved and exposed to sunlight and the atmosphere it breaks down to carbon dioxide and water - completely biodegradable and harmless to the environment.
HOW DO I APPLY CLEARBORE?
Full instructions are supplied in every pail. In short, run a return line from the bore head back down the casing for a short distance, mix the Clearbore with water at the rate of 1:10 and let the mixture run into the bore. Turn the pump on and allow it to circulate this mixture for six hours, and then pump the treatment water to waste. Alternatively, if the water is used for surface irrigation only, i.e. not overhead sprinklers, the treatment water can be pumped through the lines to assist in cleaning the reticulation system.
CAN CLEARBORE BE USED IN LARGE FLOW IRRIGATION BORES?
Yes. However it may be necessary to remove the pump to brush, surge or airlift the bore before treatment to achieve the best clean.
For large irrigation bores refer to 'Using Clearbore in Larger Flow Bores' in this website.
HOW MUCH CLEARBORE DO I USE?
That depends on the size of the bore. The factors are the diameter of the bore, standing water level, and the depth of the bore. The amount of Clearbore required can then be calculated using the Dosage Table supplied.
HOW LONG WILL THE TREATMENT TAKE?
The recommended time is six (6) hours.
HOW CAN I TEST THE WATER AFTER THE CLEARBORE TREATMENT?
In every pail of Clearbore is a bottle of testing solution with directions. The water is tested for Clearbore residue after flushing the system with clean water. As Clearbore is biodegradable it is only necessary to test the water if it is to be used for stock or domestic purposes.
WHAT IS THAT 'ROTTEN EGG' SMELL?
The smell is caused by sulphur-reducing bacteria, Thiobacillus sp., also harmless to mammals.
THE WATER IS CLEAR BUT THE FLOW IS REDUCED.
This is caused by three factors - heat from the motor, turbulence created by the pump, and oxygen introduced into the bore when the pump draws down. These conditions allow the iron-related bacteria to oxidise the dissolved iron that then creates a thick sludge. Some of this sludge may pass through the system when the pump is started causing a rush of red or brown water. Most of the sludge remains in the bore and if it is allowed to build up to any extent the water flow will be reduced and the pump will eventually break down.
HOW LONG WILL THE CLEARBORE TREATMENT LAST?
There is no hard and fast answer to this question. The fact that iron in groundwater is inherent means the build-up will reoccur. We recommend regular Clearbore treatments every twelve months. Alternatively, the bore and pump can be cleaned on demand, i.e. when the water flow slows down.
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