Home Water Filter to Remove Iron

I am often asked if any water filter such as a counter top model or a shower model will remove iron. The short answer is no. Let's start by learning more about iron in drinking water (typically well water).

Iron and manganese are not hazardous but can be a real nuisance in your water supply. Iron and manganese are chemically similar and cause similar problems. Iron is the most frequent of the two contaminants in water supplies. Manganese is usually found in iron-bearing water.

How do you know if you have iron and/or manganese in your water?

In deep wells, where oxygen content is low, the iron/manganese-bearing water is clear and colorless (the iron and manganese are dissolved). Water from the tap may be clear, but when exposed to air, iron and manganese are oxidized and change from colorless, dissolved forms to colored, solid forms. Water from shallow wells containing iron/manganese will come from the tap with a red or brown tint.

Depending on the amount of iron in the water you may see rid specs once the iron settles out or your water may have a red tinge which stains. Manganese will leave a black tint.

Iron and manganese deposits will build up in pipelines, pressure tanks, water heaters and water softeners. This reduces the available quantity and pressure of the water supply.

Another problem that frequently results from iron or manganese in water is iron or manganese bacteria. The bacteria is not hazardous but will leave a red or brown/black slime particularly where water sits like in the toilet.

A rotten egg smell from the water along with the red or brown tint indicates that there is also hydrogen sulfide in your water - which is not unusual with water that contains iron (with or without manganese).

Now, on to the question of how to get rid of this iron and the manganese and/or hydrogen sulfide.
There are two ways you can remove the iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide. Find a new source or water or install a quality water filter system that is designed specifically to remove iron and/or manganese and/or hydrogen sulfide.

These specially designed water filters passes the water through the filter media and there it gets oxygenated. Once the water is oxygenated, the iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide can then be trapped in the filter. A good quality water filter will pass the water through several filtering materials which will remove any other contaminants that might also be present. The result is clean, clear water that won't leave stains in your toilet or on your clothing.

Learn more about high quality water filters to remove iron at Crystal Quest.

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