Water Treatment Systems: Successful Iron Filter Systems
This article details the top 3 state-of-the-art iron filter water treatment systems used successfully to remove iron from well water from residential wells. These include Birm filters, Greensand Filters, and Manganese Oxide Filters. When carefully selected based on the known conditions such as water chemistry and flow rate, these special types of water treatment systems can easily remove iron, manganese and sulfur odors from well water.
Iron is present in great quantity and is one of the earth’s most plentiful resources, making up at least 5 % of the earth’s crust. The maximum amount advisable in water 0.3 Parts per Million.
When the extent of iron in water exceeds the 0.3 PPM limit the water may have a brown, yellow ,or even red color and stain laundry and fixtures. The water might have a metallic taste and an unpleasant odor. Water system piping and fixtures can become restricted or clogged. Many kinds of water treatment systems such as water softeners are spoiled by excessive levels of iron, so an iron-removing water filter system is recommended.
Get the Water Tested First for Best Results
It is important have a complete general mineral, physical and bacteriological test done. This includes common minerals, salts, metals, and bacteria. At the minimum the water should be tested for iron, manganese, pH, hardness, total dissolved solids and tannin. Once you know you have the water tested you can then easily figure out which iron filter to use, since different iron filters perform best under varying water chemistries.
In addition to water testing, you also want to test the flow rate of your well pump, or contact your pump or well contractor to find out this information. It is not difficult to find out yourself and measure the actual flow in gallons or liters per minute. It is a good idea to measure the diameter of your water pipes. For most residential well water systems and homes this will be “, 1″ or 1-1/4″ copper, iron, PEX or PVC piping.
Water Treatment Systems for Iron & Manganese Removal
The most common and effective three types of iron filters are Greensand Filters, solid Manganese Oxide filters and Birm Filters.
Greensand Filters
Birm is a trademark name of the Clack Corp. Birm is manufactured from a type of natural pumice mineral coated with manganese dioxide. As water containing iron flows through the media, if there is enough oxygen in the water, the Birm causes the iron to form rust, or solid iron particles. After these rust particles get trapped in the filter media, once or twice a week they are automatically backwashed out to drain, and the filter media is ready to filter again. Birm does not remove manganese or hydrogen sulfide gases which are often found in well water containing iron. It cannot be used if the water is chlorinated, and it is quickly fouled by iron bacteria. In most cases, Birm requires an air injector system to be able to work effectively. Birm will not work well if the pH is less than 6.9 – 7.0.
Greensand Filters
Like Birm, the Greensand filter media has a special coating of manganese dioxide, which oxidizes iron, manganese and iron in water, upon contact with the filter media. Unlike Birm, greensand is not ruined by chlorination and or a pH level of 6.5. Greensand iron filters also do a great job at removing manganese and hydrogen sulfide when they are properly regenerated with chlorine or potassium permanganate. To be effective in removing iron, manganese, and sulfur odors, the Greensand iron filter is automatically backwashed and cleaned with potassium permanganate (a purple liquid) during every backwash cycle. As an option to using potassium permanganate powder, a chlorine metering pump is installed up-stream of the greensand-plus filter to regenerate the filter media. A contact tank which can allow several minutes of contact time after the chlorine has been injected, but before the Greensand filter is recommended. Greensand media is lighter than Manganese Oxide systems and requires a lower flow rate so it works better for many small well water treatment systems when a lower flow rate is present.
MangOX, Filox, Pyrolox (solid Manganese Dioxide) Filters
Birm is a registered trademark title of the Clack Corp. Birm is produced from a kind of natural pumice mineral coated with manganese dioxide. As water containing iron flows directly through the media, and there is adequate dissolved oxygen in the water, the Birm causes the iron to form rust, or even solid iron particles. Once these rust particles get trapped in the filter media, then usually once or twice per week they’re automatically backwashed out to drain. Due to this backwashing the filter media is able to perform and filter again. Birm doesn’t take out or remove manganese or hydrogen sulfide gases which are usually found in well water containing iron. It’s very important to remember that it cannot be used if the water is chlorinated, and it’s rapidly fouled by iron bacteria. Most commonly, the Birm filter requires an air injector system to be able to work effectively and efficiently. If the pH is less than 6.9 it is widely accepted that Birm will not work well at all and the media will be damaged quickly from the acid water.
Gerry Bulfin is a marketing consultant specializing in water treatment systems. He is a WQA CWS IV licensed water specialist, a WQA licensed installer, and a licensed Grade II California state water treatment plant operator. Since 1989 his company has provided thousands of customized water treatment systems for complicated well water issues worldwide. He may be contacted via the website “http://www.cleanwaterstore.com” or by calling 831-462-8500
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