Are you using Well water in your home? If yes, then it is not surprising that it has an unpleasant taste, odor, and color due to the existence of iron, manganese, sulfur, and other metals in your water. At this point, I would recommend you invest in an iron water filter.
What is the best iron filter for well water?
If you rely on well water for your home, you may have encountered issues with iron contamination. While iron is a naturally occurring mineral, excessive levels can lead to unpleasant tastes, staining on fixtures and laundry, and even reduced effectiveness of soaps and detergents.
You have to find the right iron filter is essential for ensuring clean, safe, and great-tasting water. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one for your needs. In this guide, I’ll explore the various types of iron filters for well water, helping you understand their benefits, limitations, and how to select the perfect solution for your household. Say goodbye to rusty water and hello to refreshing, clear hydration!
A high level of iron can cause staining on the sink and scale buildup in plumbing systems. It can damage the pipes and household appliances like dishwashers, water heaters, washing machines, and other water applications. Based on the iron present in your water, you should choose the right Well water iron filter.
From these best iron water filters reviews, you can compare the features, price, quality, and performance you are looking for, and pick the right filter for your Well water supply.
Express Water Heavy Metal Water Filter
The Express water filter is one of the best choices for dealing with heavy metals for well water. Its 3 stage filtration system can remove more than 80 contaminants, including iron, lead, sand, bad taste and odors, and chlorine.
The filter is designed to connect with your incoming water line, which will produce clean and safe water for home use. For an average usage, it will last up to 100,000 gallons based on the quality of water. It includes sediment, activated carbon block, and granular activated carbon filter.
Get a high flow of water while it comes with 1-inch standard connections. It has a flowing rate of up to 0.25 gallons per second at 45-80 psi.
The unit is constructed with high-quality stainless steel materials and highly durable food-grade plastic housings. Its translucent design allows monitoring your filter that makes a simple replacement when needed. You can rely on its high-quality features with the certification of NSF/ANSI standards.
Pros:
- 3-stage of heavy metal removal
- A heavy-duty, durable filtration system
- No reduction in water pressure
- Extend your home water appliances lifespan
- Designed for simple set up and use
- Iron Pro 2 Combination Water Softener Iron Filter
If your Well water contains hard water minerals and a high amount of ferrous iron, this filter will provide two in one solution. The resin is specially designed as a salt-based water softener that also works great as an iron filter. It will efficiently remove rust stains, scale build-up, water spots, and soap scum. Remove iron up to 6 ppm, and it has a capacity of 64,000 grains.
This iron pro filter features a simple digital metered control head that allows to measure the usage of water and salt automatically and regenerate when needed. It also includes a brine tank for holding salt for regeneration. Along with these excellent features, it has a safety float that helps to prevent accidental overfilling.
Pros:
- DIY installation with free technical support from experts
- Less maintenance
- Digital control system
- Bypass valve
- Safety float to prevent overfilling
Cons:
- Replacement cost is comparatively higher than other iron filters
- Not recommended for ferric iron removal
- Home Master HMF3SDGFEC Iron Filter for Well Water
The Home Master is a three-stage filtration system and efficiently removes up to 95% of sediments, chemicals, VOCs, TOCS, and other contaminants. The three-stage filtration includes a 25, 10, 5, and 1-micron multi-gradient sediment filter, a radial flow filter to reduce iron up to 3 PPM, and granular activated carbon to reduce chemicals.
In addition, the HMF3SDGFEC comes with fully assembled filters, a steel mounting bracket, a housing wrench, and instructions for easy installation. A large size housing and 1-inch ports fittings ensure a high flow rate without dropping pressure. It has the capability of filtering water up to 100,000 gallons, which can deliver purified water for up to one year based on your daily demand.
Pros:
- 3-stage filtration systems
- capable of handling both ferrous iron and ferric iron
- Simple replaceable filters
- The oversized filter housing and less water pressure drop
- High capacity filtration with low maintenance
Cons:
- Not recommended for the water with iron bacteria or pH level less than 7
- Iron Pro Water Softener & Iron Filter
Hardness minerals and iron are two common contaminants for private well water supply. Like the Iron Pro 2, this model will also provide you both solutions for water softeners as well as iron filters. The main difference is the capacity, while the Iron Pro 2 has 64,000 grains, and this unit has 48,000 grains. However, both are worthy of their price and an excellent value for your money.
The iron pro equips with Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve that includes a user-friendly interface with a backlit LCD, touchpad controls, as well as internal power backup for 48 hours. Moreover, it regenerates by measuring your water usage, and if your water demand increases, system regeneration occurs more often to keep going up.
It can remove more iron than a standard conventional softener due to its fine mesh water softener resin and compacted environment. The new Pentair scan and service app makes it easy to access all product details, including the technical information and troubleshooting manual.
Pros:
- Made in the USA and NSF certified
- Designed to remove the highest water hardness and iron
- Compacted and longer-lasting
- Meter based regeneration process to save your water and salt
- Pre-loaded mineral tank
- built-in 1-inch bypass valve
Cons:
- It won’t be as great for ferric iron filtration
- AFWFilters AIS10-25SXT AFW Air Injection Iron Water Filter
When you are focusing on an iron filter, you can think about the effectiveness of iron filtration rather than other features. This AFWFilters system is built with an efficient and deliberate effort ensuring the compatibility of removing iron and high-quality components for less maintenance. The filter is incredibly designed to remove iron, sulfur, and manganese.
The AIS10-25SXT works along with a pressurized pocket of air, and it has the easy removal capability by oxidizing contaminants with the low-cost media of sediment filter. It features a single tank design that reduces the maintenance cost, and the digital display allows simple monitoring of system status.
Providing a precise guideline for DIY installation, and they have their support staff to help customers and answer any query. It also includes a stainless steel bypass valve with 1-inch FNPT connections while you do not need to turn off the water supply during maintenance or for any other reasons.
The AFWFilters is certified by the water quality association (WQA), thus can reduce up to 10 ppm of iron and up to 2 ppm of manganese. Moreover, the system is chemical-free and makes sure to remove the higher levels of impurities.
Pros:
- Digital air injection control head
- A complete system with a low-cost sediment filter
- Stainless steel bypass
- Easy installation with pre-filled tank
- Whole-house filtration system at affordable price
- American Water Solutions Air injection filter
This unit is assembled in the USA and comes with Fleck 2510 SXT Control Valve. The air injection removal system is ideal for iron, manganese, and sulfur. The installation is pretty straightforward, which you can install yourself with some basic skills and tools.
It features an efficient and cost-effective single tank system to remove iron and sulfur from well water. At the top of the tank, the air pocket will oxidize the water when passing through it and add dissolved oxygen to the water.
The system removes up to 7 ppm of iron and up to 4 ppm of hydrogen sulfide. Other than that, the automatic injection control head works great for minimal backwashing time to daily cleaning.
Pros:
- Salt and chemical-free
- An effective oxidizing filtration system
- Single tank system to reduce maintenance cost
- Automatic backwash reduces time and water wastage
- Included bypass valve
Cons:
- Reportedly, it will not be as highly durable as advertised
- Durawater Air Injection Iron Filter
The Durawater is another best filter consideration for iron removal with the capability of up to 12 ppm. It can also remove sulfur up to 10 ppm and manganese up to 2 ppm. The single tank system efficiently traps the iron and sulfur in the water while you can reply to its performance when you have the well water supply at your home.
When it comes to ease of installation, you will need just some basic plumbing skills, besides the provided instructions and the pre-loaded tank makes it more simple to set up. Furthermore, it features a plastic bypass with 1-inch inlet-outlet connections and the Fleck 5600SXT digital control valve for automatic backwash.
Like other top-rated iron filters, it also uses the oxidizing system and the air pocket on top of the filter to maximize the filtration result. I would say that this iron filter should be an excellent choice for well water with a large amount of iron dissolved.
Pros:
- The digital air injection system
- Reduces the backwashing time
- The whole process of oxidization inside one tank provide the optimal result
- Pre-filled centaur carbon in the fiberglass tank
- High iron removing capacity
Cons:
- It may not be the last longer, although worthy of its price
- PRO+AQUA ELITE Whole House Water Filter
This system provides a 3-stage filtration process for Well Water, and that is one of the best purifying systems for the whole house water supplies. Thus the filter can remove up to 99% chlorine, lead, mercury, iron, rust, sulfur, and many other dissolved impurities from the water. It will give you long-lasting protection and unmatched performance for your Well water.
The Pro+Aqua systems are made from stainless steel components and include a pressure relief button and a filter wrench that makes it easy to use and highly durable. You can easily replace the filter while featuring the clear first stage housing of the sediment filter. So you can monitor the system status when you should replace the filter.
Pros:
- Removes 99% of unwanted contaminants
- Immediately improves the quality of water
- Easy installation and low maintenance
- Lifetime support from expert
Cons:
- Perhaps water pressure can be reduced a bit
- 4.5″ x 20″ Refillable Well Water Filter
This unit is a replacement filter cartridge from Oceanic Water Systems, which works with Big Blue Whole House Filtration Systems. Though the filter does an excellent job in chlorine reduction, it also works great for reducing iron, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur, as well as rotten egg smell. The filter comes pre-loaded with a Granular Activated Carbon coconut shell and 2 lbs of KDF 85 and KDF 55.
KDF 55 is well recognized for effectively eliminating chlorine taste and odor, heavy metals, and scale build-up in drinking water. On the other hand, the medium of KDF 85 removes iron and hydrogen sulfide from your Well Water supply, which is combinedly working with coconut shell-activated carbon. It also helps to reduce organic contaminants and produce clear and safe water. The filter medium achieves the certification for NSF/ANSI international standard 42.
It needs to be replaced every six months or 50,000 gallons of water filtration. However, you will love the feature that it is refillable that can save your money.
Pros:
- Refillable media and effective way of Well water filtration
- Improve water clarity, taste, and odor
- No pressure drop
- NSF certified
Cons:
- According to a few customer complaints, it may not be able to remove the sulfur smell effectively.
- iSpring FM25B Iron Water Filter Replacement
The iSpring FM25B is a replacement filter with high efficiency of removing water impurities compatible with the iSpring whole house filtration systems for 4.5″ x 20″ large housing. It is designed to work with the WGB32BM and WGB22BM iSpring water filter models. It can remove up to 3 ppm of iron and up to 1 ppm of manganese.
This filter works better than conventional media and filters with high flow. The flowing rate can be up to 15 GPM at a water pressure of 20 to 100 psi. It has a capacity of up to 50,000 gallons or 12 months before replacement based on the water quality and household usage.
The filter is manufactured with maintaining the FDA standards and tested against NSF/ANSI international standards. If you already have an iSpring whole house water filter or are planning to buy one, you can consider this replacement filter.
Pros:
- Removes harmful contaminants
- Delivers high-quality drinking water
- Lasts longer with an excellent and stable performance
- Works at a wide pH range of 5.8-8.6
- It does not produce any wastewater
Cons:
- A significant reduction in water pressure at a flow rate of 8 or above
- iSpring WGB22BM Iron & Manganese Filter
This iSpring whole house water filter effectively removes iron and manganese from Well Water. With the long-lasting water filtration capability, it will provide you 100,000 gallons of clean water. As it is a 2-stage filtration system, the first stage of the carbon block filter with high-quality coconut shell carbon ensures the maximum efficiency of filtration and its durability.
You can easily install it yourself as it is designed for DIY installation that includes a manual, and the installation videos are also available. The filter is compatible with a 1-inch inlet/outlet and 20” x 4.5” filter cartridges. It has a high flow rate of 15 gallons per minute.
It will also efficiently remove 95% of rust, particles, chlorines, and other harmful contaminants. Thus by adding this filter, you can protect your family from health issues if you have a Well water supply in your home.
Pros:
- High capacity filter with a long filter life
- Easy installation and less maintenance
- Specially designed to filter out the iron and manganese
- Working pressure up to 80 psi and pH range 6 to 11
Cons:
- A little water pressure drop
Buying Guide for Iron Filter For Well Water
If you have seen our top recommended iron filters for Well water, you already have a brief idea of their compatibility and how they will work against iron in your water. Now some further questions may come to your mind when purchasing an iron filter. We are here to provide you that information for your consideration, which will help to make your buying decision easier.
Types of iron and how to remove them
Iron can be found in the water in three forms-
Ferric Iron:
This type of iron is insoluble, which is visible to the naked eye. If the water consists of ferric iron, you can see the change in color of water, which is also known as red-water iron. It doesn’t dissolve in the water and is seen as very small particles of iron dust in the water. Ferric iron mainly causes staining issues.
Most of the expert iron filtration media can remove ferric iron from the water. However, KDF filters do a good job of ferric iron filtration.
Ferrous Iron:
In this form, iron is dissolved in the water, and you will not be able to see it the first time, but if you keep the water in a glass, after a while, you can notice the reddish particles of iron at the bottom of the glass. It is also known as clear water iron that becomes visible to contact with oxygen in the air.
So, you may need the filtration systems that use oxygen for filtering the iron, such as the air-injected filtration systems. You can find many iron filters with an air chamber, which is the best for removing ferrous iron from the water.
Organic Iron:
Iron can be bound with other materials, and the iron grows because of the leaves or tree roots in the groundwater. It has no health issues, but you can have the problem with discoloration, smell, and staining.
Sometimes this type of dissolved iron can be difficult to remove while binding to the decomposed tannins in the water. Thus, you may need a dedicated or additional filtration system.
Iron Bacteria:
It is not a type of iron bacteria, while iron causes growing bacteria in the water that negatively affects the water quality. You can notice growing the gunk in your toilet tank, or it can leave stains and foul odor. Iron bacteria can cause the build-up of your Well screen as well as the plumbing systems.
Moreover, it can also damage or reduce the lifespan of your water softener because of the microorganisms produced. So if your water contains iron, you should add an iron filter even if you have a water softener to prevent iron bacteria from growing.
Test Your Water
Before buying an iron filter, you should test your water, even if you know you have iron present in your water supply. Thus you will be able to know what type of iron is in the water as well as other particles if you have that may need better water treatment. So you can easily find that you should consider the single tank system or multiple filtration system.
Filtration Capacity
The capacity is an important issue before you purchase an iron filter. You have to measure how many members you have in your family and your daily demand for the water. In addition, you have to think about the flowing rate, how efficiently the filter can deliver the water without any pressure drop for multiple usages at a time.
Ease of Installation
Although most of the iron filters feature a simple installation process, you should look for the best filters with a proper guideline manual and provide the necessary tools for DIY installation. And most importantly, great customer support for pre and post-purchase.
Maintenance of the Filter
The maintenance eventually means the replacement of the filter. The replacement cost will depend on the filtration system. If you use a single tank filter, it is a cost-effective method and requires less maintenance.
On the other hand, if you want to use multiple stages filtration systems, the replacement cost will be higher than a single tank. In a way, it is also a cost-effective system where you are getting multiple solutions from a single filtration system.
The capability of Reducing Other Additional Contaminants
The water usually contains various contaminants, which is an important issue when concentrating on removing a single element from water. The best iron filters can remove manganese, sulfur, and other contaminants dissolved in iron water.
FAQ for Iron Filter For Well Water
What type of filter do I need for whole-house filtration?
It actually depends on the supply of your water. When you have a city water supply that mainly contains chlorine, chemicals, sediment, and hardness minerals, you need a filter that removes these contaminants. If you have a private well water supply, you will need a filter expert to remove sediment, iron, and hardness minerals. Most importantly, it is highly recommended to test your water on what contaminants are in the water.
What flow rate should I look for in a filter?
You can measure the required flow rate, the amount of water running your shower, toilet, water heater, or other water appliances. It is usually determined by the gallons per minute, and you can look for the flow rate of 15 to 50 gallons per minute after calculating your demand.
Does the iron filter remove fluoride?
Fluoride, a kind of chemical that is a bit challenging to remove from water. Iron water filters are mainly focused on removing iron and manganese. In some cases, it can remove some of the other heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, lead, etc., depending on the media used in the filter.
However, it will not be able to reduce fluoride. You can use a reverse osmosis system that can remove almost 90% of fluoride from your drinking water. Furthermore, it will work more effectively combining with a bone char filter, a special type of activated carbon.
What type of filtration system is best for iron water?
Although carbon filters are commonly used to remove organic composite, it is not an effective way of filtering iron, manganese, or these types of metals from the water. An oxidizing filter can effectively remove these metals. These minerals become solidified and easily filtered out from the water. There are also some filters you will find are designed specifically for removing iron, sulfur, and manganese.
Can the water softeners remove iron?
Water softeners can remove a significant amount of iron, though it depends on the filtration systems they use. A normal water softener usually focuses on removing the calcium, magnesium, and other hard water minerals. But there are whole house filtration systems for Well water, which can be used as a water softener and an iron filter. You can find a powerful unit that works great for both problems or you can install two separate units of a softener and an iron filter.
Still, water softeners mostly work well for clean water iron (ferrous) and can not reduce other forms of iron. However, if you have a high amount of iron, sulfur, and manganese when you are on a Well water supply, it is recommended to go with an iron water filter rather than a softener.
How often should I replace the iron filter?
First, it will depend on the contaminants in your water, and then how many family members you have means your household water demand. Manufacturers mostly set the filter lifespan, which can help you to measure when to replace the filter.
Conclusion
Finally, it is difficult to refer to one, because we do not have any idea about your water quality. It is you who can compare perfectly with the feature you need for your Well water. There are two major options you can have if you have both hard water contaminants and iron.
Either you can go with two separate units, or you can choose the combined system. However, if you want to install two separate filtration systems, you can also visit our best water softener reviews.