Black Gunk ?

[h4rvy]

We seem to have lots of "black gunk" in our washing machine and other water appliances , we contacted the water board to do a water test and they said it was normal as it was caused by an airborn bacteria which effects standing water - are they taking the p*** - any suggestions ?

[Simpo Two]

It could be true - if I forget to clean under the strainer jobbie in my sink for a while it has black gunk under it.

[Bill]

Milldew? It's a fungus though.

[Pothole]

my Mum has loads of it in her water but we have none only 6 miles away. Is it slimey sort of stuff? It's not nice looking but is totally harmless.

[Simpo Two]

Thinking back to my microbiology days: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxobacteria

'Myxobacteria can move actively by gliding. They typically travel in swarms (also known as wolf packs), containing many cells kept together by intercellular molecular signals'

Therein lies the stuff of science fiction!