Tuesday, September 1, 2015

How to Kill Bacteria and Remove Iron, Odor and Sediment at the Same Time

We have a ranch outside town and our well water sometimes tests positive for coliform bacteria (not e.coli though).  We grew up there and always drank the water, but I am concerned about my grandkids drinking or bathing in it.

My question is about bacteria, but we also have iron. How can I kill coliform bacteria in our well water, and also treat for iron?  The local Kinnetico guy wanted to use a larger softener with UV light, but it cost over $5000.  Our water is very rusty and my husband didn’t think the softener alone would do the job.
What do you folks recommend?

Mrs Carlyle
San Antonio


UV will kill the bacteria, but the water must be very clean, soft and low in minerals to work properly.   Another way that works very well is chlorinate the water and pass it through a contact tank to allow time to kill the bacteria, then filter and softener the water.


To thoroughly treat this water, we can recommend using a Precision-24 chlorine injection metering pump, which provides extra strength oxidation for killing bacteria and oxidizing high levels of iron and manganese (which can be linked with sulfur odors).  

Following the point of injection, the chlorine would then feed into a 40-gallon contact tank to provide enough contact time for the solution to react with the iron, manganese and especially the coliform or e coli bacteria in the water.

Following the large contact tank, the water would pass through a backwashing Pro-OX iron filter sized for your reported flow rate, which will collect all of the iron and manganese and flush it out automatically to drain. 

As an option, the water could pass through a carbon backwash filtration system that could remove the chlorine from the water and serve as an additional barrier for iron, as well as tastes and odors. 

Finally, you could use an efficient salt-based water softener to replace your old softener, to eliminate any hardness present in the water.


Chlorinator Package Precision-24 + 15 Gal Solution TankPrecision-24 Chlorinator Package with Solution Tank:    

Can be either 110 volt or 220 volt plug; can be hardwired to a pressure switch to come on with a well pump.  Works with well water flow rates from 1 – 50 Gallons per Minute (GPM)

Output rating:  0.1 – 24 Gallons per Day (GPD).  Pressure rating:  Will inject into lines with up to 110 PSI. 



Additional features:  Degassing Valve is built in which makes this great for chlorination use.  System includes Chlorination Pump, 10 Gallon Solution Tank, Injection Check Valve, tubing and installation fittings.  25 & 35 Gallon tanks also available for additional cost.

Click here for more information about this product. 

40 Gallon Contact Tank 
40 gallon contact tankThe CT-40 tank is a durable easy-to-install retention tank designed to provide optimum contact time during chemical treatment. These lightweight seamless totally non-corrosive retention tanks are ideal for new and replacement installation where durability is at a premium. 100% non-metallic polymer materials. Impervious to chemical attack.  Comes with  1-1/4 inch inlet.



2 sizes to choose from, same price  Either 16”Diameter  x 58”Tall or 21” Diameter x 36” Tall



Excellent Warranty:  5 Years from date of installation.
Click here for more information about this product. 


vacuum breakerVacuum Breaker, ½” mpt.   

Vacuum breaker relief valve Watts 1/2" male 200 PSI maximum.
Required for contact and retention tanks to prevent vacuum in system and avoid imploding vessel.



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Sediment Filter 5900e 1.5 CFPro-Ox Iron Filter 5900 Series, 1.5 cu. Ft, 115 Volt:                

Pro-OX Iron Filter 5900 Series includes pipe connectors; by-pass valve; 1.5 cubic feet of Pro-OX Manganese Dioxide NSF Certified filter media; 10 x 54 inch filter tank; 5900 automatic backwash control valve. Uses the Enpress tank with Vortech distributor which allows the Pro-OX media to be backwashed at lower flow rates with less water, saving water and energy.   

Dimensions: 10” diameter x 50” height with valve


Excellent Warranty: 5 years on the control valve & 10 years on the mineral tank.
 Click here for more information about this product. 


Carbon Filter 5700-E 1.5 CF 
Carbon Filter 5700e 1.5 CF
Includes 1.5 cubic feet of carbon filter media; and Digital 5700-E control valve.

All the filter media you need for the system is included. Excellent for use in de-chlorinating water, taking out hydrogen peroxide and removing many tastes and odors.
Much longer life and higher flow rates than carbon filter cartridges.



Excellent Warranty:  5 Years on Control Valve & 10 years on the media tank.


 Click here for more information about this product. 
See the diagram below to understand how the system works:

Chlorinator  Contact Tank  Iron Filter Pro-OX  Carbon Filter Diagram