So today we are going to talk about the best way to remove iron from well water without, and with chemicals. But, before we start talking about what solution is best, let’s understand the problem a little better.
If you have a well water system that is rich in minerals, you will be dealing with the removal of sediments, debris, and dissolved solids in the water. It is important to emphasize that this problem can involve quite a high amount of dissolved minerals such as iron, which may result in toxicity. The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution; however, there are some effective products that can be obtained at a reasonable price to help you remove iron from well water naturally. What’s The Best Way To Remove Iron From Well Water?
The most effective way to remove iron from water is through aeration which causes iron oxidation. When air comes into contact with water, it causes oxidation of iron which leads to the precipitation of iron. Afterward, a sediment filter is used to remove the rust. You can use point-of-use filters such as shower filters or whole house water filters to remove solid precipitates. Have a look at our premium whole house water filter that features twin tanks for enhanced performance.
How to remove iron from well water?
First of all, let’s explain how iron gets into the water in the first place. It is good to know the cause of the problem itself.
When rainwater percolates into the water aquifers, the water dissolves the iron that naturally exists in rocks. Since there is no oxygen underground the iron does not oxidize. Oxidation of iron happens when it comes into contact with oxygen and a chemical reaction takes place to form solid particles that settle down on the surface of the container holding the water. You can enhance this method of oxidation and filtration by spraying water into an underground tank and then pumping it to a tank. Before water reaches the tank it should pass through an air injector which adds more oxygen into the water.
Different Types of Iron
The three different types of iron found in water include ferrous iron, ferric iron, and iron bacteria; these elements are found on the earth’s crust. People who live in most parts of America are getting a good amount of iron in their water supply because most of their drinking water comes from wells.
Ferrous Iron
This form of iron can cause lots of problems because it stains your sinks and toilet bowls. The iron stain will only be seen when it’s exposed to the atmospheric air. It has a chemical symbol (Fe2+). You can get rid of this form of iron by using a water softener. However, you should know when the concentration of this iron is very high it will shorten the life of the water softener.
Ferric Iron
Ferric iron, unlike ferrous iron which is pure iron, has oxidized. In this state, iron is out of solution and is solid. In this state, it’s filterable as a particulate. This goes by the chemical symbol (Fe3+). Ferric is insoluble in water, so it is visible as blown coloring when it comes out of groundwater. If you don’t get rid of ferric iron, it tends to clog your pipes.
Iron Bacteria
Iron bacteria are common contaminants in North America. These living organisms consume the iron in well water, creating an oxidation reaction that deposits greasy material and rust on your water treatment equipment. This contamination can result in staining and corrosion. Iron bacteria is difficult to filter out so it’s best to prevent contamination through diligent well construction. Use clean drilling tools and chlorine residual water for drilling. Streams or other surface waters should never be used for drilling.
Iron bacteria (Fe3+) feed on iron in the water. They are naturally occurring in soil and water. To avoid contamination of your water supply, it’s important to keep clean hygiene during the construction process by using clean drilling tools and using chlorine residual in the water used for drilling. You should never use surface water for this purpose.
Before going any further, check this post: the difference between distilled water and zero water.
Bad Effects of Iron bacteria
- Bad Odor
- Corrosion of water appliances (faucets)
- Pipes Clogging
- Other bacteria presence, such as sulfur bacteria
The high Cost of Maintaining Wells
The presence of iron bacteria in water can be revealed by the presence of the reddish color of the water. Furthermore, the presence of a greasy slime on faucets usually indicates iron bacteria presence.
Removing Iron Bacteria with Chlorine
This method is best used along with other iron removal methods. When shock chlorination is used, the well should not be used for 12 to 24 hours. In this period, all the water from the well is flushed out. This ensures that the chlorinated water and bacteria are eliminated from the system.
Iron bacteria can be eliminated through a process called shock chlorination. In this process, a strong chlorine solution is introduced into the well. Roughly 2 gallons of chlorine is mixed with 10 gallons of water and then splashed into the well.
Call for an expert to do it.
How to Test Water for Iron
Having iron in your water supply is a nuisance. You can easily diagnose the presence of iron by the stains on your fixtures such as sinks and toilets. Iron also causes havoc in your laundry because at best your clothes never look clean and at worst it turns them orange. If in high concentration, iron can trigger skin and hair discoloration.
It’s very important to know the level of iron before we decide on the best iron filtration system to buy because if the iron is in the solution you’ve to turn it into a ferric state so that you filter it out as sediment. Iron test kits are available in test strips or as chemical titration home tests, and you can buy cheaply buy them online or in the local supply store.
Testing for iron using an iron test strip
Iron enters the groundwater from different sources. These sources could be from flowing groundwater, geologic formations, or landfills and garbage dumps. In terms of well water and where it comes from, iron deposits can be found in bedrock that has been fractured and is weathered. If you have high levels of iron in your well water, a whole house iron filter can reduce that water quality issue. The right equipment is worth the investment to keep your family healthy.
- To carry out the test first fill your test tube with sample water.
- Remove the test strip from the packaging making sure not to tear through the color chart.
- Deep the testing strip in the sample water.
- Start moving the test strip around the test tube for 30 seconds.
- After 30 seconds removed from the sample. Wait for two minutes after removing it from the water.
- Put it against your color chart and get the closest reading on the chart.
Removing Iron from Water by Using Iron Filters
Iron filters are very effective in removing iron from water even when it’s in high concentration. This is because these filters use several processes to ensure all the iron is removed from the water.
By using an iron filter, you will have water that does not contain an unpleasant metallic taste. Unlike water softeners, which add salt to your water, iron filters do not add anything. They are also more cost-effective compared to water softeners.
Iron is one of the minerals that are commonly associated with hard water. Iron is a natural constituent of water and is not bad for your health. However, high concentrations of iron in swimming pools and drinking water can cause unpleasant effects. High levels of iron in swimming pools can lead to an unpleasant taste and discoloration. In order to disinfect a swimming pool, it is important that the pH and chlorine levels are right. If your water has a high concentration of iron, it can negatively affect the pH level. As a result, the chlorine used to disinfect the pool will not be as effective at killing germs and bacteria.
Water softeners contain sophisticated filters to remove iron from hard water through a process known as ion exchange. During this process, large amounts of sodium chloride are used to exchange harmful hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium with sodium ions in your drinking water.
Read also: Black sediments in well water.