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Home > Applications > Water Treatment > Ozone for Borehole Water Treatment
Borehole water treatment and disinfection

Ozone for Borehole Water Treatment

Engineered ozone systems for borehole and well water treatment, supporting microbial control, iron and manganese oxidation, odour reduction, biofilm management and improved water quality.

Discuss Your Borehole Water View Ozone Water Systems

Where ozone can help

  • Microbial control in private, industrial and process water supplies
  • Oxidation of iron, manganese and sulphur-related odours
  • Support for turbidity, colour, taste and odour improvement
  • Biofilm control in pipework, storage tanks and distribution lines
  • Pre-treatment before filtration, carbon, UV or downstream polishing
  • On-site oxidation without storing bulk treatment chemicals
Application overview

Controlled ozone treatment for borehole and well water

Borehole water can be a valuable water source for farms, estates, food production sites, process facilities, bottled water operations and private supplies. However, groundwater quality can vary significantly depending on geology, seasonal conditions, abstraction rate and local contamination risks.

Common issues include microbial contamination, iron and manganese staining, rotten egg odours from sulphur compounds, turbidity, organic matter, taste and odour problems, and biofilm growth inside pipework or tanks.

Ozone can be used as a powerful on-site oxidising treatment step. In borehole water applications, it is normally applied through a properly designed water injection and contact system, followed by filtration or downstream treatment where required. The best results come from treating ozone as part of a complete process, not simply adding a generator to a pipe.

Borehole water treatment and well water quality
Water quality first Borehole ozone systems should be selected around actual water analysis, flow rate, contact time and the required treatment objective.
Common borehole water problems

What ozone can target in borehole water

Ozone is strongest where oxidation and disinfection are the main treatment objectives. In many borehole systems, it works best when combined with contact time, filtration, monitoring and suitable downstream treatment.

01

Microbial contamination

Borehole water can contain bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, especially where well integrity, surface ingress, storage tanks or distribution pipework create contamination risks.

  • Primary disinfection support
  • Reduction of microbial load
  • Useful before storage or distribution
02

Iron and manganese

Elevated iron and manganese can cause staining, metallic taste, discolouration and operational issues. Ozone can oxidise these metals so they can be removed by suitable filtration.

  • Improves colour and appearance
  • Supports downstream filtration
  • Useful for red, brown or black staining issues
03

Sulphur and rotten egg odour

Hydrogen sulphide and related sulphur compounds can create strong, unpleasant odours in borehole water. Ozone can oxidise these compounds and help reduce odour at source.

  • Oxidation of sulphur compounds
  • Taste and odour improvement
  • Can be combined with filtration or carbon polishing
04

Turbidity and suspended solids

Cloudy or muddy water may be caused by suspended solids, sediment or oxidised minerals. Ozone can support particle aggregation and oxidation, but filtration is usually essential.

  • Pre-treatment before filtration
  • Support for clearer water
  • Best assessed with water analysis and jar testing
05

Dissolved organics, taste and odour

Natural organic matter and other dissolved contaminants can affect taste, odour and colour. Ozone can oxidise many organic compounds and support improved water aesthetics.

  • Oxidation of organic contamination
  • Improved taste and odour in suitable cases
  • Can support carbon or polishing stages
06

Biofilm in pipework and tanks

Biofilm can build up in well components, storage tanks, pipework and distribution loops. Ozone can help control microbial growth and oxidise organic layers when correctly dosed.

  • Pipework and tank disinfection support
  • Useful in recirculation loops
  • Monitoring and contact time are critical
Important: Ozone is not a universal standalone solution for every borehole water issue. Hardness, nitrates, salts, heavy metals, pesticides, PFAS and other contaminants may require additional or alternative treatment. A water analysis should be reviewed before any ozone system is specified.
System approach

How an ozone system is normally configured for borehole water

A borehole ozone system is more than an ozone generator. Reliable performance depends on ozone generation, injection, mixing, contact time, off-gas control, filtration and monitoring working together.

Ozonated water injection systems

Ozone is generated on site and injected into the borehole water stream using a venturi, injection pump or dedicated contact arrangement. The water then requires sufficient contact time before filtration or use.

Typical equipment

Ozone generator, oxygen source, injection system, static mixer, contact tank or contact loop, filtration stage, sensors, control panel and off-gas destructor where required.

Best suited to

Iron and manganese oxidation, microbial control, odour reduction, organic oxidation, tank recirculation and process water pre-treatment.

Monitoring, safety and integration

Ozone must be controlled safely. Borehole systems should consider operator exposure, room ventilation, off-gas management, flow interlocks, residual monitoring and ozone-compatible materials.

Control options

Dissolved ozone monitoring, ORP, flow switch, pressure switch, timers, PLC signals, alarms and automatic shutdowns.

Site support

Ozcon can support specification, supply, commissioning guidance and operator training. Installation, electrical works, plumbing and civil works are normally handled by the client or their appointed contractor unless agreed separately.

Design inputs

What we need to size a borehole ozone system

Correct sizing depends on the borehole water quality and the required outcome. A small change in flow rate, iron level, organic load, temperature or contact time can significantly change the required ozone capacity.

Water analysis

Iron, manganese, pH, turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, organics, microbiology, sulphides, nitrates and any known contaminants.

Flow and demand

Borehole yield, treatment flow rate, peak demand, daily usage, storage volume and whether the process is continuous or batch.

Treatment objective

Disinfection, iron oxidation, odour control, process water improvement, tank recirculation, filtration support or reuse preparation.

Existing treatment

Filters, UV, softeners, carbon, chlorination, storage tanks, pressure vessels, pumps and any current compliance requirements.

Contact time

Available pipe length, tank volume, recirculation option, pressure and the time available before filtration or point of use.

Site constraints

Space, ventilation, drainage, power supply, control integration, materials compatibility, operator access and maintenance requirements.

1

Review the water

We assess water analysis, contamination risks, flow rate and the actual treatment objective.

2

Define the process

We decide whether inline injection, tank recirculation, contact vessel or a hybrid arrangement is most suitable.

3

Specify the system

We size the generator, injection hardware, oxygen supply, contact stage, filtration interface and controls.

4

Validate and optimise

Commissioning and testing are used to refine setpoints and confirm the system is working as intended.

Benefits

Why borehole water users consider ozone

Ozone is most valuable where water quality problems can be solved through controlled oxidation, disinfection and integration with the right downstream treatment.

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Generated on site

Ozone is produced as needed from oxygen or air, reducing reliance on stored oxidising chemicals.

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Strong oxidation

Ozone can oxidise iron, manganese, sulphur compounds, microorganisms and selected organic contaminants.

✓

Supports filtration

Once contaminants are oxidised, downstream filtration can remove precipitated metals and suspended material.

✓

No persistent ozone residual

Ozone decomposes back to oxygen, which can be useful where long-lasting chemical residuals are not desired.

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Useful for biofilm control

Correctly applied ozonated water can support biofilm management in compatible pipework, tanks and recirculation systems.

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Engineered control

Systems can be designed with sensors, interlocks, alarms and automation for safer, more repeatable operation.

Related systems

Ozone equipment for borehole water treatment

Ozcon can recommend individual components or a complete ozone treatment package depending on the water quality, flow rate, treatment target and level of automation required.

Ozone water injection systems

Skid-mounted systems for dissolving ozone into water with controlled injection, mixing, contact time and monitoring.

Explore systems →

Industrial ozone generators

Oxygen-fed ozone generators for continuous-duty water treatment, process water and industrial applications.

View generators →

Monitoring and safety equipment

Dissolved ozone sensors, ORP control, ambient ozone monitors, off-gas destructors and system interlocks.

View equipment →
Practical limitations

What should be checked before using ozone for borehole water?

Ozone can be highly effective, but only when the application is properly defined. Before recommending a system, Ozcon will normally check the following points.

Water chemistry

pH, alkalinity, temperature, organic load, iron, manganese and suspended solids all affect ozone demand and system performance.

Filtration requirement

Oxidised iron, manganese and suspended solids normally need to be removed through suitable filtration after ozone treatment.

Contact time

Ozone needs sufficient time to react. Some applications require a contact tank, pressure vessel, static mixer or recirculation loop.

Materials compatibility

Ozone can damage unsuitable plastics, elastomers and metals. Seals, pipework, valves and tanks should be checked before installation.

Compliance route

Drinking water, private water supplies and food production sites may have testing, validation and compliance requirements that must be considered.

Contaminants outside ozone’s scope

Nitrates, salts, hardness, some pesticides, heavy metals and PFAS may require specialist treatment beyond ozone alone.

FAQ

Ozone for borehole water FAQ

Can ozone make borehole water safe to drink?

Ozone can support disinfection and oxidation, but drinking water suitability depends on the complete treatment system, water analysis, contact time, filtration, monitoring and compliance testing. It should not be specified from generator output alone.

Does ozone remove iron and manganese?

Ozone can oxidise iron and manganese so they precipitate from the water. These oxidised particles then need to be removed by suitable filtration.

Can ozone remove rotten egg smell from borehole water?

In many cases, ozone can oxidise hydrogen sulphide and related sulphur compounds that cause rotten egg odours. The final system may also require filtration, degassing or polishing depending on the water quality.

Is ozone better than UV for borehole water?

They do different jobs. UV is commonly used for disinfection but does not oxidise iron, manganese, sulphur odours or organic matter in the same way. Ozone can provide oxidation and disinfection support, while UV may still be useful as part of a wider treatment train.

What information do you need before quoting?

We normally need a recent water analysis, flow rate, daily demand, treatment objective, existing treatment equipment, available contact time, site layout and whether the water is for drinking, process use, irrigation or another application.

Can Ozcon install the system?

Ozcon typically provides system design, specification, supply, commissioning support and technical guidance. Site installation, electrical works, plumbing and civil works are normally completed by the client or their appointed contractor unless agreed separately.

Planning a borehole water ozone system?

Share your water analysis, flow rate, treatment objective and existing system layout. Ozcon will review the duty and recommend a practical ozone treatment configuration.