While iron in our blood is very beneficial and useful in transporting oxygen, iron in well water can stain appliances, clothing, bathtubs and even toilet bowls. To remove iron from water you need to install an iron water filter, and in most cases, it makes sense to go with a whole house iron water filter. The first step is to determine how much iron is in your water and that will affect your choice of iron water filter. It is also important to know that iron in water appears in two ways. Ferric iron (Fe + + + insoluble in water), commonly called rust, can be filtered out with mechanical water filters. The other form of iron in water is called ferrous iron, (Fe + + soluble in water) which can cause a noticeable metallic taste in your drinking water, and the staining as mentioned above. In order to remove ferrous iron, you need to use special iron water filters. The next step in removing iron from your water is to determine the type of iron in the water, and how much iron needs to be removed.
A whole house water filter system that is designed for iron removal is the best way to remove ferrous iron from water. The water filter you choose will depend on the level of iron you need to remove. For some homes, a Clearwater Systems whole-house water softener can handle iron removal. However, when iron levels are elevated (usually above 0.3 mg/liter), an additional Clearwater Systems iron water filter may be necessary.
Why is Iron Present in Your Water?
Underground, where water is not exposed to oxygen, it is common to find large concentrations of iron deposits in the ferrous state. Even though the water containing this ferrous iron appears perfectly clear and colorless, when it is exposed to the air, oxygen converts it to the ferric state. This ferric iron often reacts with water’s alkalinity, forming ferric hydroxide, a brown gelatin that causes staining. This can be a common well water issue.
Municipal water lines can corrode, and this may add iron to water. This iron can be either in the soluble ferrous state or the insoluble ferric hydroxide state. You may notice staining from ferric hydroxide or because other organic compounds react with the iron in your water and form chelated compounds that present unusual staining problems. Bacteria that metabolize iron causes another staining problem associated with iron, and form corrosion on pipes that results in heavy gelatinous masses that can plug pipes or look like slugs in your water. If you notice brown slimy masses on the surface of the water in your toilet, you may have iron bacteria.
Water filtration systems remove dissolved ferrous iron by ion exchange, and they remove ferric iron by filtration. It is essential to remove the ferric hydroxide periodically from the water softener bed because it can cause clogs that reduce the effectiveness of the ion exchange. Make sure your whole house water softener uses automatically dispensed cleaning agents to remove the iron from the bed.
A whole house iron water filter system designed specifically for iron removal should allow for special and extended backwashing of the bed and a faster final rinse to prevent slugs from forming.
Why Use a Whole House Iron Water Filter System
Eliminate stains, metallic taste, and corrosion with an Iron Water Filtration System.
Iron is not hazardous and is classified by The U.S. Department of Natural Resources as a secondary or “aesthetic” water contaminant. However, high levels of iron also:
- Dramatically affect the taste and smell of water.
- Stain laundry and household fixtures such as showers, tubs, and sinks.
- Contribute to hard-water effects that may shorten the life of appliances like dishwashers and hot water tanks.
The last step before purchasing any iron water filter is to get a qualified water analysis from a dependable source like Clearwater Systems to determine the proper technology to guarantee total iron removal. Contact Clearwater Systems to schedule a free water analysis.
How to Remove Iron from Your Water with Kinetico Whole House Iron Water Filter
FAQs
Aeration (injecting air) or chemical oxidation (usually adding chlorine in the form of calcium or sodium hypochlorite) followed by filtration are options if iron levels are more than 10 mg/L. Sediment filter, carbon filter, or water softeners can remove small amounts of iron, but the iron will quickly plug the system.
What is the cheapest way to remove iron from well water? ›
Iron can give water a reddish tint and a metallic taste, and it can also stain sinks and clothing. High levels of iron can clog pipes and reduce the efficiency of water heaters. The cheapest way to remove iron from well water is to use an air compressor to aerate the water.
Do water filters remove iron from water? ›
Reverse osmosis water filtration systems are designed to remove the most harmful elements and chemicals in your water, including iron, manganese, fluoride, lead, and even salts.
What is the best water filter to remove iron? ›
Reverse osmosis water systems are water filtration processes for separating iron and numerous other molecules from drinking water. These are the most common water filters found in households and commercial facilities. They are capable of removing large particles and harmful chemicals from water.
How to purify water with high iron content? ›
Which is the best way to remove excess iron from water? The smartest and the best way of iron removal is to install an Iron Removal Filter. This appliance is easily installable and complies with home safety norms too. KENT Iron Removal filter is one such product in this category.
How to get rid of high iron in water? ›
Manganese greensand
One of the most popular and effective ways to eliminate ferrous iron is to convert it to ferric iron and then remove it from the water. Water treatment systems that use this tactic are called oxidizing filters. Manganese greensand is a powerful oxidizer.
What happens if you have too much iron in well water? ›
Effects on Your Health
Although a low level of iron cannot harm your health, it contains bacteria. In addition to this, high iron in water content leads to an overload which can cause diabetes, hemochromatosis, stomach problems, and nausea. It can also damage the liver, pancreas, and heart.
What is the best chemical to remove iron from water? ›
The stage of precipitation by chemical oxidation can also be carried out with the stronger oxidants such as the chlorine dioxide (ClO2), ozone (O3) or the potassium permanganate (KMnO4). This elimination can be carried out by cascade or spraying open-air systems (for an acceptable maximum content of Fe2+ of 7mg.
Will a magnet remove iron from well water? ›
And since rust is essentially iron oxide, it tends to be magnetic, so it can be drawn back out of the water using a low-powered magnet.
Do Brita filters remove iron from water? ›
Brita pitcher filters are not certified to reduce iron in drinking water, but they are certified to reduce certain other heavy metals like lead and mercury, and activated carbon technology has been proven to reduce iron in drinking water. Note: Brita pitcher filters used for rusty water may have shorter filter lives.
PUR filters re certified under various NSF/ANSI standards for the reduction of: Contaminants responsible for odor and taste issues. Aesthetic chlorine (but not for reduction of chloramines) Some heavy metals (including mercury, cadmium, copper, and zinc but not iron, chromium or manganese)
Do iron filters really work? ›
However, iron filters are generally considered the most effective of these options, especially when iron concentrations are high.
Is there a way to filter iron out of water? ›
As the most common and effective method to remove iron from well water, oxidation filtration provides better iron removal results compared to softeners.
What type of filter is best for iron? ›
What's the best type of filter for removing iron from drinking water? A Katolox filtration system is able to remove both forms of iron, magnesium and hydrogen sulfide present in well water.
Will a Brita filter remove iron? ›
Brita pitcher filters are not certified to reduce iron in drinking water, but they are certified to reduce certain other heavy metals like lead and mercury, and activated carbon technology has been proven to reduce iron in drinking water. Note: Brita pitcher filters used for rusty water may have shorter filter lives.
What are the side effects of high iron in water? ›
When you drink water with high iron levels, it can potentially damage your body and cause numerous health concerns.
- Iron Overload. ...
- Iron Toxicity. ...
- Brain Damage. ...
- DNA Damage and Cancer. ...
- Infections. ...
- Early Signs of Wrinkles. ...
- Clogged or Rusting Pipes. ...
- Discolored Water.
Increasing the concentration of charcoal and also residence time the amount of iron removal from water also increased. It was observed from the figure that the concentration above 500 ppm of charcoal can marginally improve the removal of iron from thesystem.
Do pur filters remove iron? ›
PUR filters re certified under various NSF/ANSI standards for the reduction of: Contaminants responsible for odor and taste issues. Aesthetic chlorine (but not for reduction of chloramines) Some heavy metals (including mercury, cadmium, copper, and zinc but not iron, chromium or manganese)
While iron in our blood is very beneficial and useful in transporting oxygen, iron in well water can stain appliances, clothing, bathtubs and even toilet bowls. To remove iron from water you need to install an iron water filter, and in most cases, it makes sense to go with a whole house iron water filter. The first step is to determine how much iron is in your water and that will affect your choice of iron water filter. It is also important to know that iron in water appears in two ways. Ferric iron (Fe + + + insoluble in water), commonly called rust, can be filtered out with mechanical water filters. The other form of iron in water is called ferrous iron, (Fe + + soluble in water) which can cause a noticeable metallic taste in your drinking water, and the staining as mentioned above. In order to remove ferrous iron, you need to use special iron water filters. The next step in removing iron from your water is to determine the type of iron in the water, and how much iron needs to be removed.