Clean Well Water Report: Chlorination and Options for Iron Removal

Dear Gerry,

You were referred to us by our neighbors. They have water more severe than ours but we do get the occasional rotten-egg odors, and we definitely have iron. Our softener gets most of it, but we are interested in removing the iron before the softener. I emailed you my tests, what do you recommend?

Stan T.

Arkansas

Hi Stan,

Thanks for emailing. We have two options that would work well, you could either use a Pro-OX iron filter system with chlorine side tank (which handles the odors) or better yet use a chlorine injection system along with a Pro-OX iron filter and carbon filter system prior to the softener. The chlorination injection system would also kill iron bacteria as well as oxidize the iron.

OPTION 1: Pro-OX Iron Filter with Chlorine Side Tank

The Pro-OX iron filter is definitely our best system for oxidizing and filtering out manganese and iron. It lasts a long time- usually around 6 to 8 years before needing to be replaced, and requires no maintenance. Note, the system shown below is a good average size, but we offer smaller and larger systems too depending on the size of your home.

Since you reported iron bacteria specifically, we recommend that you also get an upgrade to send it along with a small side tank. This would instead allow you to occasionally draw up chlorine, just during the backwash cycle, to rinse off and sanitize the iron filter media. This way, ideally the iron bacteria will build up within the filter media bed but be killed off every time you run a chlorine rinse on it.

Pro-Ox Iron Filter 5900 Series, 1.5 cu. Ft, 115 Volt:

Pro-OX Iron Filter 5900 Series includes pipe connectors; by-pass valve; 1.0 cubic feet of Pro-OX Manganese Dioxide NSF Certified filter media; 10 x 44 inch filter tank; 5700-E 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; Chlorine side tank is 10.5” diameter x 16” high

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Excellent Warranty: 5 years on the control valve & 10 years on the mineral tank.

OPTION 2: Chlorine Injection Systen, Contact Tank, and Pro-OX Filter

To more thoroughly treat your water, the better way is to use a chlorination injection system along with a contact tank and then the backwashing iron filter. In addition to eliminating iron, this system also provides disinfection, providing you with clean water, void of bacterial contamination.

The way this application will work, is the chlorinator would be wired to come on a the same time as the well pump. This will allow for solution to be injected at the rate as set, oxidized the contaminants, and allows the filter media to remove much higher levels of iron and manganese. From there, the water would pass through a contact tank to give it sufficient time to react, and then finally it would move on to the backwashing Pro-OX iron filter.

These Precision-24 self-priming chlorine pump systems are easy to install by anyone familiar with basic plumbing and very easy to maintain yourself. Not to mention the maintenance requirements here are minimal, for the most part all that needs to be done is add a mixture of Clorox and water to the solution tank every 2 months or so.

Precision-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.

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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.

40 Gallon Contact Tank (recommended)
The 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

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Excellent Warranty: 5 Years from date of installation.

Vacuum Breaker, ½” mpt.

Vacuum breaker relief valve Watts 1/2" male 200 PSI maximum.