Iron in Drinking Water - Get the Waters Tested!
Discolored Drinking Water Brown, Red, Yellow or Rusty Drinking Water
Typically Caused by Sediment, Solids, Casing Rust, Iron,
Manganese, Chemical Scale, Aluminum, and Carbonates
Some of these problems can be caused by a group of iron bacteria or manganese bacteria.


  
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Iron and Manganese In Drinking Water

Iron and manganese are non-hazardous elements that can be a nuisance in a drinking water supply. Iron and manganese are chemically similar and cause similar but different problems. Iron is the most frequent of the two contaminants in drinking water supplies; manganese is typically found in iron-bearing water.   Iron and manganese can stain laundry, plates, and fixtures.

Sources

Iron and manganese are common metallic elements found in the earth's crust. Water percolating through soil and rock can dissolve minerals containing iron and manganese and hold them in solution. Occasionally, iron pipes also may be a source of iron in water.
 


 

Aesthetic Impacts of Iron in Drinking Water

 

In deep wells, where oxygen content is low, the iron / manganese-bearing water is clear and colorless (the iron and manganese are dissolved). Water from the tap may be clear, but when exposed to air, iron and manganese are oxidized and change from colorless, dissolved forms to colored, solid forms.

Oxidation of dissolved iron particles in water changes the iron from being dissolved in the water to a solid.  The iron will typically first appear yellow and finally to red-brown solid particles that settle out of the water. Iron that does not form particles large enough to settle out and that remains suspended (colloidal iron) leaves the water with a red tint.  Manganese usually is dissolved in water, although some shallow wells contain colloidal manganese (black tint).  These sediments are responsible for the staining properties of water containing high concentrations of iron and manganese. These precipitates or sediments may be severe enough to plug water pipes.

Iron and manganese can affect the flavor and color of food and water. They may react with tannins in coffee, tea and some alcoholic beverages to produce a black sludge, which affects both taste and appearance. Manganese is objectionable in water even when present in smaller concentrations than iron.

Iron will cause reddish-brown staining of laundry, porcelain, dishes, utensils and even glassware. Manganese acts in a similar way but causes a brownish-black stain. Soaps and detergents do not remove these stains, and use of chlorine bleach and alkaline builders (such as sodium and carbonate) may intensify the stains.

Iron and manganese deposits will build up in pipelines, pressure tanks, water heaters and water softeners. This reduces the available quantity and pressure of the water supply. Iron and manganese accumulations become an economic problem when water supply or water softening equipment must be replaced. There also are associated increases in energy costs from pumping water through constricted pipes or heating water with heating rods coated with iron or manganese mineral deposits.

A problem that frequently results from iron or manganese in water is iron or manganese bacteria. These nonpathogenic (not health threatening) bacteria occur in soil, shallow aquifers, and some surface waters. The bacteria feed on iron and manganese in water. These bacteria form red-brown (iron) or black-brown (manganese) slime in toilet tanks and can clog water systems.   If you are having problems with iron, manganese, and/or occasional sulfur odors we typically recommend water testing that includes these nuisance bacteria (Multiple Options - biofouling).
 


 

Iron Treatment Drinking Water / Management of an Iron Problem


Iron Deficiency- Many of the symptoms of iron overload are the same as Iron Deficiency, including fatigue, weakness and lack of energy. However, people with hemochromatosis generally experience a darkening of skin color (often referred to as bronzing), while those suffering from iron deficiency Anemia will experience a pale skin color.

 

 


Get the Water Tested


Laboratory Testing National Testing Laboratories (Mail Order Kits),

Self Testing Kits or Directly by Mr. Brian Oram.

 


Standards - Primary and Secondary for Iron

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for drinking water fall into two categories --- Primary Standards and Secondary Standards. Primary Standards are based on health considerations and are designed to protect people from three classes of pollutants: pathogens, radioactive elements, and toxic chemicals.   Secondary Standards are based on taste, odor, color, corrosivity, foaming and staining properties of water. Iron and manganese are both classified under the Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) standards. The SMCL for iron in drinking water is 0.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L), sometimes expressed as 0.3 parts per million (ppm), and 0.05 mg/L for manganese. Water with less than these concentrations should not have an unpleasant taste, odor, appearance or side effect caused by a secondary contaminant.  A new 2017 Private Well Owner Users Manual is available NOW.


Drinking Water Treatment for Iron 

(1)phosphate compounds; (2)ion exchange water softeners; (3)oxidizing filters; (4)aeration (pressure type) followed by filtration ; and (5)chemical oxidation followed by filtration including Ozone.

These treatment techniques are effective in water that has an almost neutral pH (approximately 7.0). The phosphate compound treatment is an exception and is effective in the pH range of 5.0 to 8.0. Exceptions are noted for manganese removal.
 

  • Iron Problem - Phosphate treatment

    Low levels of dissolved iron and manganese at combined concentrations up to 3 mg/l can be remedied using phosphate compound treatment. Phosphate compounds are a family of chemicals that can surround minerals and keep them in solution. Phosphate compounds injected into the water system can stabilize and disperse dissolved iron at this level. As a result, the iron and manganese are not available to react with oxygen and separate from the solution.

    The phosphate compounds must be introduced into the water at a point where the iron is still dissolved in order to maintain water clarity and prevent possible iron staining. This should be before the pressure tank and as close to the well discharge point as possible.

    Phosphate compound treatment is a relatively inexpensive way to treat water for low levels of iron and manganese. Since phosphate compounds do not actually remove iron, water treated with these chemicals will retain a metallic taste. In addition, too great a concentration of phosphate compounds will make the water feel slippery.

    Phosphate compounds are not stable at high temperatures. If phosphate compound-treated water is heated (for example, in a water heater or boiled water), the phosphates will break down and release iron and manganese. The released iron and manganese will then react with oxygen and precipitate.

    Adding phosphate compounds is not recommended where the use of phosphate in most cleaning products is banned. Phosphate, from any source, contributes to excess nutrient content in surface water.
     

  • iron Removal - Ion exchange water softener

    Low to moderate levels of dissolved iron, at less than 5 mg/l concentrations, usually can be removed using an ion exchange water softener for drinking water. Be sure to check the manufacturer's maximum iron removal level recommendations before you purchase a unit. Capacities for treating dissolved iron typically can range from 1 to 5 mg/l. Oxidized iron or levels of dissolved iron exceeding the manufacturer's recommendations will cause a softener to become plugged.

    The principle is the same as that used to remove the hardness minerals, calcium, and magnesium; i.e., iron in the untreated water is exchanged with sodium on the ion exchange medium. Iron is flushed from the softener medium by backwashing (forcing sodium-rich water back through the device). This process adds sodium to the resin medium, and the iron is carried away in the waste water.

    Since iron removal reduces the softening capacity of the unit, the softener will have to be recharged more often. The manufacturer of the softener medium is able to make recommendations concerning the appropriate material to use for a particular concentration of iron. Some manufacturers recommend adding a "bed cleaning" chemical with each backwashing to prevent clogging.

    Not all water softeners are able to remove iron from water. The manufacturer's specifications should indicate whether or not the equipment is appropriate for iron removal.

    Water softeners add sodium to the water, a health concern for people on sodium-restricted diets. Consider installing a separate faucet to provide unsoftened water for cooking and drinking.
     

  • Iron Treatment - Oxidizing filter

    An oxidizing filter treatment system is an option for moderate levels of dissolved iron and manganese at combined concentrations up to 15 mg/l in drinking water. The filter material is usually natural manganese greensand or manufactured zeolite coated with manganese oxide, which adsorbs dissolved iron and manganese. Synthetic zeolite requires less backwash water and softens the water as it removes iron and manganese. The system must be selected and operated based on the amount of dissolved oxygen. Dissolved oxygen content can be determined by field test kits, some water treatment companies or in a laboratory.
     

  • Iron Treatment - Aeration followed by filtration

    High levels of dissolved iron and manganese at combined concentrations up to 25 mg/l can be oxidized to a solid form by aeration (mixing with air) in drinking water. For domestic water processing, the "pressure-type aerator" often is used.

    In this system, air is sucked in and mixed with the passing stream of water. This air-saturated water then enters the precipitator/aerator vessel where the air separates from the water. From this point, the water flows through a filter where various filter media are used to screen out oxidized particles of iron, manganese, and some carbonate or sulfate.

    The most important maintenance step involved in the operation is periodic backwashing of the filter. Manganese oxidation is slower than for iron and requires greater quantities of oxygen. Aeration is not recommended for water containing organic complexes of iron/manganese or iron/manganese bacteria that will clog the aspirator and filter.
     

  • Iron Treatment - Chemical oxidation followed by filtration

    High levels of dissolved or oxidized iron and manganese greater than 10 mg/l can be treated by chemical oxidation, using an oxidizing chemical such as chlorine, followed by a sand trap filter to remove the precipitated material. Iron or manganese also can be oxidized from the dissolved to solid form by adding potassium permanganate,  hydrogen peroxide, or ozone to the untreated water. This treatment approach is particularly valuable when iron is combined with organic matter or when iron bacteria is present. I have done research using ozone and ozone iron and manganese removal is a great approach.

    The oxidizing chemical is put into the water by a small feed pump that operates when the well pump operates. This may be done in the well, but typically is done just before the water enters a storage tank. A retention time of at least 20 minutes is required to allow oxidation to take place. The resulting solid particles then must be filtered. When large concentrations of iron are present, a flushing sand filter may be needed for the filtering process.

    If organic-complexed or colloidal iron/manganese is present in untreated water, a longer contact time and higher concentrations of chemicals are necessary for oxidation to take place. Adding aluminum sulfate (alum) improves filtration by causing larger iron/manganese particles to form.

    When chlorine is used as the oxidizing agent, excess chlorine remains in treated water. If the particle filter is made of calcite, sand, anthracite or aluminum silicate, a minimum quantity of chlorine should be used to avoid the unpleasant taste that results from excess chlorine. An activated carbon filter can be used to remove excess chlorine and small quantities of solid iron/manganese particles.

    Any filtration material requires frequent and regular backwashing or replacement to eliminate the solid iron/manganese particles. Some units have an automatic backwash cycle to handle this task.

    The ideal pH range for chlorine bleach to oxidize iron is 6.5 to 7.5. Chlorination is not the method of choice for high manganese levels since a pH greater than 9.5 is required for complete oxidation. Potassium permanganate will effectively oxidize manganese at pH values above 7.5 and is more effective than chlorine oxidation of organic iron if that is a problem.

    Potassium permanganate is poisonous and a skin irritant. There must be no excess potassium permanganate in treated water and the concentrated chemical must be stored in its original container away from children and animals. Careful calibration, maintenance, and monitoring are required when potassium permanganate is used as an oxidizing agent.
     

Plumbing corrosion

Corroded pipes and equipment may cause reddish-brown particles in the water that, when drawn from the tap, will settle out as the water stands. This can indicate oxidized iron or, in some cases, it may only be iron corrosion particles. Raising the water's pH and using a sediment filter is the simplest solution to this problem.
 

Iron and manganese bacteria

The most common approach to control of iron and manganese bacteria is shock chlorination. Shock chlorination procedures are described in Shock Chlorination of Domestic Water Supplies. It is almost impossible to kill all the iron and manganese bacteria in your system. They will grow back eventually so be prepared to repeat the treatment from time to time. If bacteria re-growth is rapid, repeated shock chlorination becomes time-consuming. Continuous application of low levels of chlorine may be less work and more effective. An automatic liquid chlorine injector pump or a dispenser that drops chlorine pellets into the well are common choices.  Chlorine rapidly changes dissolved iron into oxidized (colored) iron that will precipitate. A filter may be needed to remove oxidized iron if continuous chlorination is used to control iron bacteria.

Optimal conditions for the growth of iron bacteria would include a low level of dissolved oxygen, low ORP, temperature 5 to 15 C, and iron in water as low as 0.01 mg/L.  The first three problems that are commonly associated with this problem are slimy coating on inside surface of toilet flush tank, increased red staining of plumbing fixtures and laundry, sulfur - sulfur-like odors, decreasing well yield, accumulations of slimy coatings/sludges and coatings and restricted flow in piping.
 

Multistage treatment

If the water has high levels of iron and manganese and they are both the dissolved and solid forms, a multistage treatment operation is necessary. For example, a troublesome supply could be chlorinated to oxidize dissolved iron and kill iron bacteria, and filtered through a mechanical device to remove particles. This can be followed by activated carbon filtration to remove excess chlorine and a water softener for hardness control as well as removal of any residual, dissolved iron or manganese.  If a chemical oxidizer is used, it might be possible to treat hydrogen sulfide, iron and manganese contaminants at the same time.
 


Water Testing Issues (Nuisance Bacteria)

Make sure to get your water be tested  prior to the purchase or installation of any treatment devices.  In some cases, it is necessary to conduct nuisance bacteria testing (see photos below), because of the presence of iron-reducing bacteria.  Therefore, accurate testing is important before considering options and/or selecting treatment equipment. Often the treatment for iron and manganese is the same for hydrogen sulfide, allowing removal of all three contaminants in one process.

 


 



iron related bacteria, IRB, slime bacteria, sulfur reducing bacteria

iron related bacteira

Under the Microscope

iron related bacteria, IRB, brown, dirty, stinky water, private wells, bioslimes, biofouling water wells

Newest Links:  
Guide to Iron Overload Disorders
Cooking with Less Iron
Bulletin On Iron Deficiency- NEW

Other Outside Links
American Hemochromatosis Society - http://www.americanhs.org
Iron Overload Disorders http://www.irondisorders.org/

Water Treatment Systems

Greensand Filtration System
Iron / Sulfide Treatment System
Under the Counter and Counter Top Filtration Systems