Cheapest way to remove iron from well water
As anyone who owns a well knows, groundwater can contain dissolved metals like iron, the fourth most commonly found mineral in the Earth’s crust. This is usually not harmful but can make your water look and taste unappealing. Although iron is essential for the growth and development of the body, consuming it in your daily water supply can be more harmful than beneficial.
If you’re looking for the most cost-effective way to eliminate iron from your ground or well water, you have come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about removing iron from your well water, including different filtration methods, prices, and maintenance costs. We’ll also list a few tips on keeping the system running efficiently.
How to remove iron from well water naturally?
If your well water has high iron levels, there are a few ways to remove it naturally. One way is to let the water sit for a few hours in an open container. The iron will settle at the bottom, and you can pour off the clean water.
Another way to remove iron from the well water is to add a little bit of citrus juice or vinegar to the water. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then get the clean water.
You can also try using a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove the iron from your well water. Just pour the water through the filter and into another container. The iron will be left behind in the filter.
Finally, you can use a water softener to remove iron from your well water. This is the most effective way, as it will remove both dissolved and insoluble iron particles.
How to test well water for iron?
If your well water contains high levels of iron, it can cause staining on your fixtures and clothing. It can also make your water taste metallic. Although iron is not a health hazard, it can be a nuisance. The best way to test for iron in your water is to use a home test kit or send a sample of your water to a lab for testing.
Ferric iron, ferrous iron, and bacterial iron are the three types of iron commonly found in well water.
Ferric iron
Ferric iron is an insoluble form of iron. It gives water a reddish-orange color. Since ferric iron is insoluble, it can be filtered out as particulates using an iron filtration system.
Ferrous iron
In water, ferrous iron dissolves, so you won’t even notice it. However, even though it is invisible in the water from your faucet, ferrous iron can oxidize when exposed to air.
As damaging as ferric iron, ferrous iron can be damaging when oxidized. When bacteria and iron combine, bacterial iron is formed. It is a slimy substance that is extremely difficult to remove. It’s a slimy orange substance that floats on top of the water. It’s commonly found in toilet tanks where water remains for a long time.
The easiest way to test your water for iron is to start by looking for iron in your water to see if it’s there. The simplest and quickest way to detect iron in your water is to conduct a visual test.
Pour a cup of water into a clear glass and leave it to stand for a few minutes to test for iron. Reddish-brown sediment should appear if your water contains iron of at least 0.3 mg/l (milligrams per liter). This sediment is an indication that your water contains ferrous iron if it only appears after it has been left to stand for a while. You can see the presence of ferrous or ferric iron in the water flowing from your faucets. If your appliances have brown or red stains, you will know that iron is present in your well water.
If you use a home test kit, follow the instructions carefully. You will usually need to collect a water sample in a clean container and add a chemical solution. The solution will change color if iron is present in the water sample. You can test your iron with dipping strips and a color chart that is included in an iron testing kit.
- Dip a strip into your water for the recommended time
- Remove the strip.
- Wait for several minutes.
- Compare it to the color chart to determine how much water your iron contains.
There are some limitations to iron testing kits. For instance, most only detect one type of iron, and they can only detect a certain amount of iron, usually five ppm. Do not buy iron blood level tests, but iron water testing kits, as you could easily mistake the two.
To get an accurate reading, it is best to test for iron several times over the course of a few days. This will give you an idea of how much iron is present in your water and whether or not it is changing over time. If you are concerned about high iron levels in your water, you can install an iron filter system to remove it from your water supply.
In addition to providing you with an exact measurement of the amount of iron in your water, laboratory testing can also tell you what types of iron you have in your water, including ferric and ferrous iron. Your water needs to be tested by a certified laboratory. You’ll need to take samples in vials provided by the lab, then send these samples to be tested in-house. You’ll then receive your results by email.
How to install iron filter for well water?
If your well water is high in iron, installing an iron filter is an effective way to remove it. There are two main types of iron filters: oxidation and filtration.
Oxidation filters work by using air to oxidize the iron, which causes it to bind with the filter media. This type of filter is often used in conjunction with a sediment filter to remove any particles that the iron may have bound to.
An iron filter system begins with the use of an oxidant like chlorine or hydrogen peroxide. The oxidant causes contaminants in the water to grow in size and settle down, making it easier to remove large particles from the water. Furthermore, iron particles cannot be removed through filtration if they are not completely oxidized.
Filtration filters work by physically trapping the iron particles in the filter media. This type of filter is typically used on its own, as it can be more effective at removing larger particles of iron. This is similar to straining food. Iron filters help eliminate pollutants from water by not allowing them to pass through. Only clean water passes through.
The iron water filter system’s final step is backwashing. Since the filter accumulates particles, it needs to be cleaned frequently to ensure faultless filtration. Backwashing is the process by which the filter forces out harmful particles to ensure the iron filter is functioning properly.
To install an iron filter, you will first need to purchase one that is designed for use with your specific water supply. Once you have the filter, follow the instructions included with it to install it properly.
Best iron filter for well water:
According to our research, the best iron filter for well water currently on the market is the iSpring water filter cartridge.
The iSpring whole house water filter cartridge is specially designed for iron and manganese reduction, reducing iron down to 0.01 ppm and manganese down to 0.01 ppm, removing more than 99% of the iron in your water supply.
This system has higher linear velocities than conventional media, delivers high flow rates, and has a very low-pressure drop. The iSpring whole house filter effectively removes harmful substances from water, improves water quality, and protects family health by reducing pressure by up to 5 psi at 8 gpm.
With a pH range of 5.8 to 8.6, as well as a temperature range of 40 to 113F, it maintains excellent stability and durability. As the catalytic media is not consumed in the process, FM25B whole-house water filters last up to 3 times longer than green sand filters. The iSpring filter can handle 50,000 gallons at a 3.0 ppm iron level or approximately 12 months at 200 gallons per day.
ISpring Water Systems LLC is a family-owned business specializing in water filtration systems. They are committed to strict quality control and strive to make high-quality drinking water accessible to all households.
Independent third parties test the water filter against NSF/ANSI standards for water quality, material safety, and structural integrity in compliance with FDA standards. You are also offered lifetime free tech support in case something goes wrong with your unit. With the combination of high-quality materials and customer care, you can ensure that you will never have iron contamination in your water supply for several years.
Pros
- Efficient removal of iron and manganese.
- No water pressure drop.
- Longer lifespan.
- High-quality materials.
- Excellent customer support.
- Zero waste water generated.
Cons
- Does not work as well in extreme weather conditions.
- Only handles iron contamination of up to 3 ppm.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What does iron well water damage do?
Iron is one of the most common minerals in well water. It gives water a reddish tint and can cause staining on clothing and fixtures. Iron can cause clogging in plumbing systems in high concentrations and make water taste metallic.
When water containing iron comes into contact with air, it oxidizes and forms rust. This rust can build up in pipes and other fixtures, causing clogs and decreased water flow. Rust also discolors clothes and stains laundry.
In severe cases, iron-rich well water can cause yellowing or orange spots on sinks, tubs, and toilets. Ferric iron staining is unsightly and difficult to remove, while ferrous iron isn’t a problem until it oxidizes, and then it’s the same problem. Some types of iron cause more damage than others. Eventually, iron bacteria can cause blockages, which can interfere with your water pressure and cost you a lot to repair.
Your plumbing isn’t the only part of your home that can be damaged by iron. In addition to leaving harsh stains in well-water-supplied appliances, iron can also discolor shower units and bathtubs. You may notice orange streaks in your sink, around your drains, and in your toilet bowl.
Iron may also discolor shower units and bathtubs over time. When you wash your laundry and dishes in high iron water, they can take on a brown or red tint.
Even though iron is a vital contaminant, the human body takes sufficient amounts with its inner processes or food. Therefore, drinking excessive amounts of iron with your daily water is harmful to your health. Iron in your water also negatively affects the health of your hair and skin. The latter becomes even more severe if the iron in your well signifies the presence of iron bacteria, microscopic organisms that feed off the iron.
Once they enter the body, they may cause infections and diseases when digested, such as abscesses and cellulitis. Water can also be affected by ferrous and ferric iron, leaving behind soapy residue even after you shower. This residue tends to make the skin feel dry and itchy, and can cause other skin conditions.
Iron contamination in water can also lead to unpleasant-tasting water. While poor water taste isn’t by itself a concern, it can make you less inclined to drink it, leading to dehydration. You may smell iron in your water, too. If your drinking and cooking water tastes metallic, it’s probably an iron problem. Iron-contaminated water can take on an orange hue that makes drinking water with a high iron content undesirable.
You may experience vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain if your intake is even as low as 10-20 milligrams of iron per kilogram of your body weight. If you continue to consume excess iron, it will accumulate in your internal organs, which can be particularly harmful to the brain and liver.
2. Is it OK to drink well water with iron?
Iron is one of the most common minerals in well water, and it’s usually not a problem. In fact, iron can be beneficial for your health. The problem comes when there’s too much iron in your water, and you consume it on a regular basis. Excess iron as part of your diet can be more harmful than beneficial and cause problems in the long run.
Excessive amounts of iron in your water can cause it to become rusty and give it an unpleasant taste. It can also stain your laundry and toilet bowl. If you have too much iron in your water, you’ll need to remove it.
Fortunately, there are a few different ways to remove iron from well water. The cheapest way is to use an air injection system. This system uses air to break up the iron so that it can be filtered out of your water.
For a more permanent solution, you can install an iron removal system. These systems use chemicals to remove the iron from your water. They’re usually more expensive than air injection systems, but they’re also more effective.
3. How to treat iron bacteria in well water?
Iron bacteria are tiny organisms that live in water and get their energy by oxidizing dissolved iron. This process causes the iron to stain surfaces orange or brown and can clog pipes. If you have iron bacteria in your well water, you’ll need to take steps to remove it.
4. How to remove bacterial iron from well water
One way to remove iron bacteria is to shock your well with chlorine. This will kill the bacteria and dissolve any iron they’ve oxidized. You can do this yourself with a chlorine test kit and some bleach, or you can hire a professional.
Another way to remove iron bacteria is to add an oxidizing agent to your water. This will cause the iron to precipitate out of the water, which you can then filter out. You can buy an oxidizing agent at a pool supply store or make your own with hydrogen peroxide and manganese dioxide.
If you have iron bacteria in your well water, you’ll need to take steps to remove it. With a little effort, you can eliminate these pesky organisms and enjoy clean, fresh-tasting water again.
5. How to clean well water system with iron filter?
If you have a well water system with an iron filter, you may be wondering how to clean it. Iron can build up in your water over time, causing it to become discolored and taste unpleasant. While you can purchase a water filter specifically for iron removal, there are also some cheaper methods you can try first.
One way to remove iron from your well water is to add a rust remover to the water. This will help break down the iron so that it can be filtered out more easily. You can also try adding a clarifier to your water. This will help bind the iron particles together so that your filtration system can more easily remove them.
After trying these methods, you may need to invest in a more heavy-duty water filter if your well water is still discolored or has an unpleasant taste. There are different types of filters available on the market, so be sure to do your research to find one that will suit your needs.
6. What chemical removes iron from water?
A few chemicals can remove iron from water, but the most common and cheapest chemical is ferric chloride. Ferric chloride is a coagulant, which means it clumps together the iron particles in the water so they can be filtered out. Other chemical options include polyphosphates, manganese greensand, and birm as iron removal media.
Conclusion
Iron is a common contaminant found in well water. While iron is not toxic, too much of it over a prolonged period of time can be harmful. As this article discusses, there are several ways of removing iron from your water supply. The cheapest way to remove iron from well water is through a process of filtration. This method uses chemicals and equipment, such as sand filters and chlorine, to filter out the iron particles in water.
While this process can be expensive at times, it is an effective solution for many households and will help ensure that your drinking water stays clean and free of any harmful contaminants. With the right setup and maintenance plan, removing iron from well water doesn’t have to break the bank.
About The Author
Judith— a passionate water treatment specialist — is a waste water management enthusiast, clean drinking water advocate, and someone with deep personal experience and knowledge about various water equipments. Her work was mentioned in countless notable water associations. Previously she was an editor at Water Alliance.