How do you remove rust (iron) from your water?
A WATER SOFTENER CAN REDUCE IRON TO BELOW THE THRESHOLD OF STAINING, BUT IT CAN NOT TOTALLY REMOVE IT!
Under some circumstances, a water softener will work for a while, but the resin bed will gradually become fouled with iron over months or years, decreasing its efficiency at removing the iron.
To totally remove iron, one must utilize the following: (1) Oxidation and filtration; or (2) Sequestration using polyphosphates.
POLYPHOSPHATES - We will discuss sequestration of iron with polyphosphates first. Sequestration of iron with polyphosphates does not remove it from the water supply, but keeps the iron in solution, so that it does not produce stains. This is often used when individuals or businesses want to keep the iron from staining in irrigation systems. It is accomplished by injecting a small amount of polyphosphate into the water, typically with a chemical injection pump and a solution tank containing a supply of polyphosphate.
However, it is not perfect in removing iron, as evaporation of the water can still leave an iron residue and the iron often precipitates when the water is heated. Results may very dramatically with sequestration, depending upon a variety of factors, not the least of which is water chemistry.
OXIDATION - Almost any concentration of iron can be oxidized by feeding an oxidizer such as chlorine, ozone, pottasium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide or even oxygen into the water supply. The oxidizer reduces the iron to a small particle (precipitate), which is then mechanically filtered from the water, typically by a backwashing filter with a dense media containing carbon or materials.
In my thirty-plus years of experience, I have personally tried every method known to man to remove iron. Today, I primarily use hydrogen peroxide, as it is a much better oxidizer of iron than either chlorine or potassium permanganate and does not leave excess air in the water like oxygen systems. Unlike chlorine, hydrogen peroxide is simply hydrogen and oxygen and produces no harmful chlorination byproducts.
A hydrogen peroxide system consists of a chemical injection pump, solution tank, in-line static mixer, and a backwashing filter to remove the oxidized iron. I prefer the hydrogen peroxide system because it completely removes iron and sulfur with totally predictable results. It is my opinion that other methods are not as predictable or reliable in function. A hydrogen peroxide system will remove 100% of the iron. PERIOD!
For homebuilders that build large custom homes with irrigation systems on iron-bearing waters, the hydrogen peroxide system will totally eliminate any staining in irrigation systems, and throughout the home, for that matter. Additionally, a water softener will not have to work nearly as hard once the iron is completely removed. This is not to say that other methods can't work. I am just stating my opinion based upon my extensive experience in treating problem water.
99 Comments
i have learned alot from reading above. i have a iron rich well here in the hill country of texas and other than using iron out and regular pellets, i’ve done nothing to help my softener except a carbon pre-filter. my real question is two part; i have a whirlpool r.o. and i’d like to know if H2O2 will ruin the membrane and also, do you have any idea of the amount of H20 that is dripping down into my p-trap daily? if these questions can be answered, i do appreciate it. Thanks matt
Matt, You have not recieved a response because I don’t behind my Keyboard 24/7/365 – I actually have a life! I was in Chicago yesterday at the largest Water Show in the country. Now, as to your questions: 1. The H2O2 is removed by a backwashing filter BEFORE it gets to your softener, so it can only help the performance of the RO. 2. Most RO’s waste 4-5 gallons per gallon made.
Per your request, my systems uses about 1500-1800 gals to water the entire property. I live in New Jersey. I’ve read about Birm filters, but I think my PH (6.7) is to low, and Greensabd Filters. Reading info on these internet sites about cleaning the iron out of the water just gets me confused what to do. Thanks Jeff
ty 4 your answer. i apologize 4 my impatience, it is a GREAT fault of mine. i am very appreciative for your help. i will look into the idea of using H2O2 2 get rid of the rust. Matt
Jeff, Hydrogen Peroxide is one way that I would recommend. You might also condider an air (oxygen) filtration system. We have extensively tested these and are going to have them on our website next week. They use no chemicals and probably would be the cheapest method. Check at wwww.uswatersystems.com next week and enter “Sanis-Air Filtration.”
I am interested in the Waterdog system. I currently have a hydrogen peroxide system and would like to eliminated the cost of the peroxide. Would the Waterdog be a good choice?
(Click on this text to see a WaterDog PDF) According to Waterdog, their patented Dissolved Oxygen Generator (D.O.G.) technology generates extremely high levels of dissolved oxygen in water. By oxidizing 100% of iron and manganese minerals in water, the WATER D.O.G. technology enables easy removal by filtration, while eliminating iron oxide and hydrogen sulfide odors. We are currently testing one on a small commercial application. So far, we are not impressed with the results. The installation had 7.5 ppm of iron and also had methane. The salesperson who sold us the Waterdog said that the methane was no problem – its was, as it seemed to strip away the air bubbles. We then added an areator to eliminate the methane. To date, it is still not working, but we have not given up hope. We will try a few more things and I will report back to you in the near future about our findings.
WATERDOG UPDATE We changed the media in the filter tanks to Greensand Plus from Catalytic Carbon today. Lets see what happens.
I want to install a filtration system to get rid of iron from our water; our pH is already 8, but we are installing a new concrete tank, which may increase the pH further. Once I oxidize the iron through a static mixer with Chlorine (or Hydrogen peroxide)then put it through a backwashing filter, will this process help to drop the pH, or will I be left with a high pH at the end of this this process.
The pH should be about the same.
WATERDOG UPDATE So far, the iron is below .3 ppm, but Waterdog says it should be 0! Hummm .
WATERDOG UPDATE: Today, the system has been on line for about two weeks. The iron reading is ZERO. The WATERDOG system seems to be working very nicely. For the record, the amount of water being treated is about 12,000 Gallons Per Day. This shall be an interesting test. If this works, the Waterdog could have excellent potential in the high-end home market. The cost is entirely up-front as there are no chmicals to buy and no maintenance.
Any new updates on the Waterdog? What is the cost of one of the units?
So far, it seems to be doing a great job. $4,000.00 to $8,000.00
Jeff, Yes, it is. We made a big decision to totally re-do our website and that is top priority right now, but if you want to call me later this week, I can talk to you about the new SanisAire syetm.