Iron & Manganese Problems

Red, brown or black tints in your well water

Iron and manganese are two non-hazardous elements sometimes found in well water. Although these chemicals do not pose any risk of health related problems, they do change the appearance and taste of the water.

Initially, iron is harmless. Once the iron is exposed to the air it oxidizes (rusts) and takes on a reddish/brown color; this will make it noticeable in the water. Manganese also corrodes in water, turning the water a blackish tinge.

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Both agents can cause damage to faucets and sinks and they can also result in a metallic taste to your water. They can also cause long term damage to washing machines, dish washers and other appliances. They can also stain glass, clothing, dishes and anything else they come in contact with.

A “rotten egg smell” is a genuinely unpleasant side effect of hydrogen sulphide in your water. This can also be removed through methods described below.

Filtration options available to remove these metals include:

Oxidizing filters such as greensand filtration oxidize iron and manganese on contact and remove these from the water. Greensand filter units come in different sizes and can range in price from $1000 to $5000.

Aeration of water can solidify manganese and iron into sediment that will settle out of the water or can be removed through the use of a filter.

Chemical Oxidation and Filters can be used to remove dissolved iron and manganese in concentration greater than 10 mg/L. A sand trap filter is then used to filter and remove the material from the water.

These are three of the most popular iron and manganese treatment and filtering methods. Iron and manganese are not considered a serious threat to the health of your family unless they are found in intense concentrations.

Purchasing a water softener is also a good idea for softening your well water which is more likely to be harder than city water. A water softener is also called an ion exchanger and it can help remove iron and other metals from your water, including copper.