Why wells lose performance over time
Iron and manganese bacteria — principally Gallionella and Leptothrix species — form dense biogenic encrustations on well screens, casing perforations and the surrounding gravel pack. Unlike simple mineral scale, these encrustations are a matrix of living bacteria, extracellular polymers and precipitated iron oxides that conventional acid treatments and chlorine shock cannot fully penetrate or dissolve.
As the biofilm thickens, hydraulic resistance across the screen increases, specific capacity drops and submersible pumps operate against higher head — accelerating wear and driving up energy consumption. Heterotrophic plate counts and coliform bacteria harboured within the biofilm also create persistent water quality compliance issues that chlorination alone rarely resolves long-term.
Pantonite is formulated to work where chlorine and simple acid solutions fail — dissolving Fe and Mn rich encrustations in high surface area applications, disrupting the extracellular polymer matrix and enabling the neutralisation and flushing of bacterial colonies embedded within it.
In situ or full redevelopment
Works with the pump in place or as part of a full well redevelopment programme — your site conditions determine the right approach
Works where standard acids fail
Specifically formulated for high Fe and Mn concentration environments where standard acid descaling products lose effectiveness.
NSF/ANSI Standard 60 certified
Approved for direct contact with potable water systems
How it works
1
Assessment
Your contractor assesses with camera survey and specific capacity test to establish the degree of biofouling, screen condition, and the right treatment method — either in situ treatment with the pump in place, or full well redevelopment depending on the severity of degradation.
2
Treatment
Pantonite chemistry is introduced into the borehole, dissolving iron, manganese and biofilm encrustations. For severely degraded wells, it can be combined with other physical processes such as Nitroburst, Airburst or other borehole percussion processes to maximise penetration.
3
Verification
A post-treatment pump test confirms restored yield and specific capacity. Your contractor's report confirms before-and-after performance data — flow rates, specific capacity, and water quality results.
Don't just take our word for it
Maher Services, In North Reading, MA, have been using Pantonite on their well projects for over 15 years.
In this video, Peter Maher explains why it has become part of their redevelopment process.
Why contractors and utilities choose Pantonite for well re-development
Chlorine-free chemistry
NSF 60 certified for drinking water contact — safe for potable water systems
Restored yield & capacity
Dissolves Fe and Mn encrustations, helping restore lost specific capacity
Bacteria reduction
Reduces heterotrophic and coliform bacteria associated with biofilm build-up
Minimal downtime
In situ treatment available — back online in 2–3 days with no pump pull required
Results you can see
Pantonite dissolves years of iron, manganese and biofilm encrustation from well screens and casing — visibly restoring the screen to a condition that allows full flow to resume.
These before-and-after images below are from a field treatment using Pantonite combined with borehole percussion.
See the data for yourself
In Westford, MA, Pantonite was introduced without pulling the pump or surging. This in-situ approach resulted in close to a 5 fold increase in specific capacity from the pre-redevelopment yield and an increase in pumping capacity of over 300% — read the full case study to see the numbers.
View case studies →