Excessive amounts of dirt, algae, oils and other bacteria will provide ideal conditions for growth. SRB will co-exist with Iron Reducing Bacteria creating massive problems. Even small amounts of oils and grease will provide nutrients for growth. Stagnant water and low flow conditions will increase the chance of SRB growth. SRB's obtain their energy from the anaerobic reduction of sulfates.
Sulfates are available in most waters due to outside contamination.
It therefore acts as a cathodic depolarizing agent. The corrosion of iron by this process is very rapid and unlike ordinary rusting, is not self-limiting. Once SRB's begin to grow in a system, it becomes very difficult to eliminate. A prevention program is much more effective than trying to clean a fouled system. Keep excessive dirt from settling in basins with the use of dispersants and side stream filtration.