How to Filter Yellow High Iron Water

Iron, an abundant mineral in the earth's crust, turns red and rusts when exposed to oxygen. Similarly, if the iron concentration in drinking water is too high, it will stain fixtures, clothes, dishes and plumbing. Red, yellow or brown staining is the hallmark of high iron concentration, although this may also indicate the presence of tannins. Generally, high oxygen water supplies have low concentrations of iron, and poorly oxygenated water has higher iron concentrations. Oxygen is scarcer deeper into the ground, so deep wells have a greater chance of developing an iron problem.

Things You'll Need

• Laboratory test
• Water softener

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Instructions

• 1

  A lab test determines the iron content of water.

  Order a test from a certified laboratory. A test determines the exact amounts of iron in your water, and the filtration method varies accordingly. Alternatively, contact the EPA office of ground and drinking water or visit the website for the annual water quality report. This report details drinking water content by state and also lists your water supplier.

• 2

  Buy a water softener. Water softeners are designed to filter low levels of hard minerals, from 1 to 10 ppm. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for specific capabilities of individual models. This filtration method works best with "clear water iron" or water that has no color.

• 3

  Consider a greensand or "iron filter." If iron is clogging up your water softener or if your laboratory test shows iron content of 10 to 15 ppm, use a greensand filter to trap soluble iron from drinking water. Remove iron sediment by backwashing the filter twice a week.

• 4

  Check the laboratory test for pH levels, as this influences how well the greensand filter works. The filer works best if the pH of your water is higher than 6.8, according to water specialists at North Dakota State University. If your pH level is lower, raise it by filtering the water first through a calcite water neutralizer.

• 5

  Choose chemical oxidation plus filtration for water with a soluble iron concentration greater than 15 ppm. Water specialists recommend chlorine for household systems. Chlorinated water treatments also remove bacteria, parasites, manganese and hydrogen sulfide from water supplies.