Iron and Manganese

Types of Iron in Water

Iron can be found in the water supply in two different forms: soluble or “ferrous” iron and insoluble or “ferric” iron. Soluble iron, which is iron that’s dissolved in the water, needs to be made insoluble so that it can be removed from the water. Fortunately, exposing the iron to oxygen causes it to change. Unfortunately, when it becomes insoluble in your home, the iron will settle out and leave deposits in your pipes and water heater and on your clothing and dishes.

While it’s usually pretty easy to tell if you have iron in your water, it’s always a good idea to have your water tested to determine the iron levels, as well as to find out if there are additional contaminants in your water.

Iron Filter Types

There are a number of different ways to remove iron and magnesium from your water supply, but at US Water Systems, we recommend two types of backwashing iron filters:

1. Hydrogen Peroxide Injection with a Catalytic Carbon Filter

2. Air Injection Iron Filter

We sell iron removal systems all over the USA and Canada, so we have to make sure that the systems we recommend actually do what we say.

Hydrogen Peroxide Plus Catalytic Carbon Filtration

The absolute best whole house iron filter that we recommend combines hydrogen peroxide oxidation with a catalytic carbon backwashing filter. Hydrogen peroxide is an extremely effective oxidizer, making the iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide in the water easy to remove. This type of filter works because when iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide are exposed to oxygen, they become insoluble – or solid – in the water. Once the contaminants are solid, they can be filtered out with a catalytic carbon filter. Catalytic carbon enhances the oxidation process, making it a good choice for use in an iron filter for water.

Actually, the hydrogen peroxide is injected just ahead of the catalytic carbon and the catalytic carbon also acts as a catalyst between the H2O2 and the iron, instantly oxidizing it and filtering it out.Our inFusion hydrogen peroxide system (pictured above) will filter out up to 20 ppm of iron and even more if custom-engineered to do so.

Oxidation followed by filtration is considered one of the most effective ways to remove high levels of iron. This type of system does require regular maintenance, in the form of filling the hydrogen peroxide tank as it is used up, and the carbon filter media will require both periodic backwashing (done automatically) and eventual replacement after several years (typically 4 to 5 years). Hydrogen peroxide injection ALWAYS works – it is a scientific fact that it is a great oxidizer of iron. The only drawback is that you will have an annual hydrogen peroxide bill, which is typical $200 to $300 a year. However, most people believe that is a small price to pay for iron-free water.