We have a vacation home we use about once a month, and the water is terrible. I have been told we have acid well water and I know for a fact we have a lot of iron. We get blue stains on the fixtures and I can smell iron in the water. Which treatment system should I use? Help!
Sally
Richmond, Virginia
Hello Sally,
Water with pH below 7.0 is considered acidic, which can cause problems with corrosion in copper pipes. This would explain the blue staining that you are currently experiencing as copper leaches into the water, depositing on surfaces as blue-green stains. The iron and trace manganese can also cause issues with staining on fixtures and other surfaces.
What we would recommend for treatment is a calcite-blend neutralizer, which uses a mixture of calcite (crushed limestone) and Corosex (magnesium oxide) to bring up the pH. The media slowly dissolves into the water to counteract the acidity in the water, preventing problems with corrosion.
To follow up this neutralizer and remove iron and manganese, we would recommend using a MangOx filter. This filter uses manganese dioxide to bring dissolved iron and manganese particles out of solution, turning them into solid filterable particles. This is a long-lasting treatment option that does not use any chemicals. The result of this treatment system would be clean, non-staining water. Please see more information on the recommended equipment below:
Acid Calcite-Blend Neutralizer, 7000 1.0 Cubic Foot, 1”
Fleck7000_neutralizer.jpgPrice includes FREE Shipping & free pH test kit to be sure of correct operationIncludes convenient top-fill port for hassle-free refilling
Includes all Calcite and Corosex media necessary to get up and running with shipment
Dimensions: 10" diameter x 51" height ¾" or 1” pipe size bypass is included
http://www.cleanwaterstore.com/NF003900-p-acid-neutralizer.html
Excellent warranty: 10 years on the filter tank; 5 years on the control valve.
MangOX Iron Filter 7000 1.0 CF
MangOX is a media that utilizes an oxidation-reduction reaction and filtration process similar to Greensand, but at a much higher level of performance. Uses the Enpress tank with Vortech distributor which allows the MangOx media to be backwashed at lower flow rates with less water, saving water and energy.
Dimensions: 9" diameter x 55" height 1” or ¾" pipe size
Spin-Down Filter: 1in 20gpm 100 mesh
Features easy-to-use ball valve that quickly flushes built-up sediment caught by stainless steel screen. Long-lasting and does not require changing parts like traditional cartridge systems.
Here is a diagram showing the equipment installed:
