removal is typically done as a first step. small diameter pipes are sometimes cleaned with a wire brush, while larger lines can be scrubbed and flushed clean with a sewer jetter. the pumping equipment in the well must also be removed and cleaned. iron filters have been used to treat iron bacteria. iron filters are similar in appearance and size to conventional water softeners but contain beds of media that have mild oxidizing power. as the iron-bearing water is passed through the bed, any soluble ferrous iron is converted to the insoluble ferric state and then filtered from the water. any previously precipitated iron is removed by simple mechanical filtration. several different filter media may be used in these iron filters, including manganese greensand, birm, mtm, multi-media, sand, and other synthetic materials. in most cases, the higher oxides of manganese produce the desired oxidizing action. iron filters do have limitations; since the oxidizing action is relatively mild, it will not work well when organic matter, either combined with the iron or completely separate, is present in the water. as a result, the iron bacteria will not be killed. extremely high iron concentrations may require inconvenient frequent backwashing and/or regeneration. finally, iron filter media requires high flow rates for proper backwashing, and such water flows are not always available. wildfires may release iron-containing compounds from the soil into small wildland streams and cause a rapid but usually temporary proliferation of iron-oxidizing bacteria complete with orange coloration, gelatinous mats, and sulfurous odors. higher quality personal filters may be used to remove bacteria, odor and restore water clarity.