The Whats, Whys, and Hows of Iron Water Filtration Systems

What is an iron filtration system and how can it help your home? Take a look at what homeowners need to know about the whats, whys, and hows of this type of residential water filtration system.

What Is Iron?

Iron is a natural substance that is part of the Earth's crust. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, iron is the fourth most abundant element found in the Earth’s crust and is commonly found in the soil. Iron is also found in rocks and aquatic environments, including wastewater and groundwater.

The two primary types of iron found in water sources are insoluble ferric iron and soluble ferrous iron. As a soluble element, ferrous iron dissolves in water. This means water sources containing ferrous iron are clear and odorless. Oxidized iron (iron that meets the air through exposure) is ferric, or non-dissolvable, iron. This type of iron has a characteristic reddish brown or rusty color.

What Is a Home Iron Water Filtration System?

As the name implies, this type of system filters out iron from your home's water supply. More specifically, it filters ferric and ferrous iron that can cause issues with your home's plumbing system or your drinking water. After installation, the system will filter water at the entry point. This means it is a whole-home filtration system that can reduce the amount of iron throughout your home, not just at the point of use or faucet.

Why Install an Iron Filtration System in Your Home?

Iron can damage plumbing and affect your drinking water. Even though this element is bothersome, it isn't hazardous to your health, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The Royal Society of Chemistry notes that iron is essential for all life forms and that humans contain an average of four grams of iron each. Humans also need between 10 and 18 milligrams of iron daily. But this doesn't mean you should get your daily iron supply from your home's tap water. Instead, most people get their daily iron intake from food (such as meat sources) or supplements.

If iron is necessary, why is iron in your home's drinking water something you would want to filter out? While dietary iron can help you to stay healthy, iron in your home's water system can cause problems. Ferrous iron (the type that dissolves in water) can leave behind a metallic taste, making it difficult to tolerate your home's drinking water. It can also affect the taste and appearance of foods, such as vegetables, that you cook in water.

Along with the odd taste and cooking-relating issues, water that contains iron can leave behind rusty-looking stains on your home's plumbing fixtures or on your laundry. It can also feed some types of bacteria. This results in a sticky biofilm that smells and clogs your home's pipes.

An iron filtration system removes the element from your home's water supply. This eliminates the metallic odor/taste from your drinking water, allows you to cook with water minus the strange tastes and changes in color, makes your laundry clean again, and reduces the risks of biofilm buildup.

How Does Iron Filtration Work?

The answer to this question depends on the type of filtration system you choose. There are a few different options, depending on your home's needs. Oxidation is the basic or general way that filters reduce iron content in home water supplies. These systems use an oxidation agent to add oxygen to the water. As the iron is oxidized, it turns into the insoluble variety. The filter stops and removes these particles from the rest of the water.

Does your home have water that is high in iron? Contact McAleer Water Conditioning for assistance.