Wondering How To Remove Iron From Well Water?

Is your well water contaminated with iron? If the water has an orange color and a metallic taste, then you should know that it contains iron and in that case, it is considered hard water. Iron contamination is bad and it can be a pain since it leaves unsightly stains on any surface as well as your laundry. Additionally, iron-saturated water can damage your home appliances and it can also affect the taste of food if you cook or wash fruits and vegetables with it. 

The good news is that iron can be removed from well water, here are some tips on how to effectively do that. 

The Different Types of Iron

First and foremost, it is essential to test the water and identify the specific type of iron it contains. There are three distinct types of iron: ferric iron, ferrous iron, and bacteria iron— also known as organic iron. Ferric iron is reddish and it is the easiest to identify, while ferrous iron is invisible. Iron bacteria, on the other hand, are found in soil, shallow groundwater, and surface waters. Since there are different types of iron, you need to test the water so that you can choose the best iron treatment method that suits your needs based on the particular type of iron in your water.    

Iron Water Filtration

The best method to remove iron from well water is to use a water filtration system. There are different types of iron filters designed to suit different flow rates. The one thing to know about an iron water filter, though, is that this type of filter is designed to suit water with different levels of iron. For instance, well water with a higher amount of iron, about 7-q5 mg/L will require a specialized filter. For excellent treatment, you also need to differentiate between ferrous (soluble clear water iron) and ferric iron— also known as insoluble red water iron. There is also bacteria (organic) iron and that requires different types of filters. 

Removing Clear-Water Iron

You can eliminate ferrous iron from clear water by using a water softener. There are different types of water softeners that are specially designed to remove minerals such as iron from water. A water softener is a device that you can connect to your water supply in your home and it removes iron. However, a standard water softener is different from the filtration system. Additionally, you also need to know that if there is excessive iron in water, and simple water softeners may not be the best choice. The pH level of your water also determines when you can use a water softener. Water softeners usually do not work when the pH level in water is too high. The lifespan of the water softener can also be shortened if the water contains excessive iron. You should not apply a softener if the concentration level of ferrous iron is above 5 mg/L. Some compounds can easily pass which can lead to clogging of the system. 

Oxidation Iron Filter

An oxidation iron filter will be required for quick oxidation. An oxidation filter is used to remove iron from well water. An iron filter looks like a water softener, but the main difference is that the soluble ferrous quickly oxidizes to a ferric state as soon as the well water passes through the filter. The insoluble particles will get trapped thereby removing iron from the well water. Iron filters work in different conditions so you should know the particular kind of iron that you are dealing with. In case the well water contains some organic matter, an iron filter may not be able to purify it. It is also essential to know that iron filters do not kill iron bacteria. In such a situation, you will need chemical treatment. 

Removing Red-Water Iron

Ferric iron can be removed from the water through mechanical filtration. This involves a rust water purifier which is used to trap iron particles with concentrations of about 15mg/L or more. A special filter can remove the rust particles, but it should be regularly cleaned to avoid shortening its life span. 

Removing Organic Iron

The removal of organic iron from well water can be challenging since it exists in smaller particles that are difficult to trap. As such, specialized filters, water softeners, as well as aeration systems, may not work. Chemical oxidation together with a mechanical filter can be the best option to remove this kind of iron from your well water. 

Whilst water that contains iron does not pose any serious threat to health, it can affect your quality of life in many ways. This type of water is also known as hard water and it leaves stains on surfaces and clothes. It also affects the taste of food. However, depending on the type of iron in the well water, water softeners or iron filter systems can be used to remove iron from the water.