With at least 5% concentration in the earth’s crust, iron is one of the most common contaminants of groundwater. Ranking next to municipality added impure minerals like chlorine, iron contaminated water poses a threat to us even if mixed in small quantities in drinking water. As it can cause damage in more than one way, it is imperative to detect it early on.
Testing water for Iron
Iron holds the potential of damaging more than just a pipeline. With every square foot containing some concentration, iron has managed well to leach into the water supplies through soil and rock formations. And to ensure it hasn’t entered your’s, it’s better to be sure by backing it with all-round testing.
Color of drinking water
This is the foremost test to check if your iron has water in it. Simply take a glass and take a sample of the tap water right before the moment it enters your house. If the water is yellowish or reddish-orange, then it is contaminated with iron. If for any reason, you’re unable to take the sample at that particular moment, then switch on the tap for a good 5-10 minutes to ensure that water is being supplied from the well. If the color of the water is changed, it has iron in it.
Also Read: Best Salt for Water Softener by Consumer Reports
Stains on sink
There is always a chance that you might not see a color change while testing the water sample in a glass because of an extremely low concentration of iron. In such a scenario, there are other ways to test iron’s presence. Another way is to check your bathroom sink for any stains of orange or yellow color. If you notice your faucet to be stained, it has chances that your water has iron. To be sure, check for any rusting in your pipeline. If your pipeline is made of rust-free alloy, then the culprit is the tap water.
Stains in the toilet bowl
A toilet bowl is one sure shot way to check the presence of iron in your tap water as it is always partially filled with water and is used frequently throughout the day. Just look for a ring of orange or red color around the water level in the bowl. If you are sure about no rusting inside your pipeline, it is tap water’s iron content.
Blocked drainage
Iron mixed in water is actually in the form of extremely tiny flakes floating in the quantity of millions. When they try to leave the drainage system of your house, they tend to get stuck at various places while traveling through the pipes. This build-up blocks the pipes now and then. So, if your sewage pipes are getting clogged more than ever, those flakes are surely mounting inside.
If you have been experiencing changes in the color and taste of your tap water and stained bathroom fittings, it’s about time to take action to eliminate the iron from your water system. Let us find out how to remove iron from your water by consumer report.
Best iron filter reviews
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1 iSpring WGB32BM Whole House Water Filtration System
iSpring filtration system is a 3-stage water filter to remove iron and manganese from your water along with many other contaminants making it the best iron removal system. The first stage polypropylene layered sediment filter brings the impurities down to 5 microns. The second stage Carbon Block filter further purifies the household water and delivers maximum filtration efficiency along with maintaining the filter life. In the third stage, iron and manganese content in water is targeted for removal. This filtration system does not remove Total Dissolved Solids from your household water like an RO system instead it maintains the levels of healthy minerals in the water.
Pros
iSpring WGB32BM can reduce iron content down to 0.01 ppm and manganese content down to 0.01 ppm.
The system can filter 100,000 gallons of water without replacement of any filtration layer.
The multi-layer filtration design leads to lesser clogging inside the water filtration system, thereby increasing its life.
The product comes with a user manual to help you with the installation.
Their filter layers are independently tested to meet NSF/ANSI standards and can help you remove heavy metals from your water along with the common contaminants.
Cons
The filters are not numbered which makes it confusing as to which one will fit first.
The filtration system does not have any foolproof method to let you know the time to change the cartridges.
The company sends 1-inch inlet that has to be reduced to ¾ inch to match with the main from the water company.
Also Read: How To Remove Lead From Home Water
2 Home Master Whole House Water Filtration System
Home Master is a well water filtration system for iron removal. It contains a replaceable sediment filter that leads to finer filtration and has greater dirt holding capacity. It carries the power to filter down the particles to 1 micron. The water filter machine can reduce up to 95% contaminant content making it the best choice among the iron filters for well water. The oversized filters helps in increasing the flow rate of your household water. The first stage filter reduces sediments, second reduces iron content in water up to 3 ppm, and the third one clears away the chemical content.
Pros
The Home Master system can filter up to 95,000 gallons of water without a need for replacement providing you with a supply of whole year’s water for your family.
It holds the power to eliminate up to 95% of chemicals, sediments, and other contaminants from your water that are responsible for foul odors and taste.
The filtration system is designed with 1-inch ports to withhold strong water pressure of up to 15 gallons per minute.
The Home Master filter is equipped with oversized filters to reduce the maintenance frequency.
The machine is capable of producing finer filtration with a multi-gradient density filter.
Cons
The unit is quite heavy-weight for handling.
The components used in the system are of cheap quality.
The design does not include any vent button putting additional workload on you.
3 Fleck 5600SXT Whole House System
Fleck 5600SXT is a whole house iron filter designed to eliminate hard water and scale buildup related to it. The filtration system is equipped with high-quality components mostly made in the USA and requires minimal maintenance. The system is bound to last longer than its competitors in the same price range. The unit features a 48,000 grain of 8% cross-linked resin making it one of the best among all the iron removal filters available in the market. With an experience of over 35 years, the company delivers a high-quality product for protecting your family from the side effects of iron and other harmful contaminants present in water.
Pros
The filtration unit features a high capacity resin offering efficient water softening.
Fleck filtration system is fairly easy to install.
Brine tank comes equipped with a safety float to prevent accidental overfilling.
The package includes a user manual that contains easy-to-follow guidelines for the system.
The unit can filter up to 12 GPM service flow rates making it suitable for a family of up to 6 people.
Cons
The filtration system comes with a 1-inch inlet/outlet MNPT making it a necessity to go down to ¾ inch for connecting.
The bypass valves are very hard to turn making it difficult to turn the system off for watering your plants.
Fleck is not good at replying to its customers, you will have to rely on your supplier for the help.
4 AFWFilters AIS10-25SXT Air Injection Water Filter
AFWFilters is air injection water filter that purifies water with a pressurized pocket of air in the upper portion of the tank. This super-oxidizes the contaminants to trap them in the lower portion of the tank with the help of a sediment filter. The iron water filter is made from high-quality components to make them last longer. The design also includes a digital display to determine the system status with ease. The combination of air injection and sediment filtration media empowers the system to eliminate up to 10 ppm iron and 2 ppm manganese along with other contaminants from your household water.
Pros
Digital display allows you to check the system status at any time.
The package includes a user manual for installation guidelines.
AFWFilters is WQA certified ensuring high-quality water filtration.
The design uses a single tank for purification making it easy to handle.
The system removes iron, manganese, sulfur, and all other contaminants efficiently.
Cons
A steel FNPT bypass valve is included in the pack instead of plastic one which is easier to install.
The backwash discharges water violently making a loud noise.
Digital display runs inaccurate timer many a time.
Also Read: The 10 Best Gas Ranges For 2020
5 Aquasana Whole House Filter System
Aquasana filter is a high-performance well water iron filtration system that uses salt-free technology to minimize the contaminant content in your household water. It can remove 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, and 97% of chlorine to provide you a safe drinking water. The system is also capable of removing herbicides, pesticides, lead, mercury, iron, VOCs, and other contaminants. It does not eliminate Total Dissolved Solids like an RO system rather maintains the useful mineral content of your water. Cleaning a gallon of water will cost you less than $0.01 with this filtration system making it a great value for your money.
Pros
It removes 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and chlorine resistant cysts.
The unique dual-tank design prevents clogging inside the system.
The unit is empowered to filter up to 500,000 gallons of water.
Back-flushing or draining is not required. Filter replacement is also easy.
A carbon filter combined with UV purifier maximizes contaminant reduction.
Cons
It is quite difficult to install the system on your own.
Do not expect a solution to your issues from the customer support staff.
The salt-free system works well for a while but not for long.
6 Waterboss Iron Reduction Filter
Waterboss iron reduction filter is made for households with extreme iron content as it can efficiently remove large amounts of iron from your water. The design includes a compact bed of fine mesh resin that helps to backwash at a much higher rate of pressure. Along with diminishing iron bacteria, the unit also reduces hydrogen sulfide by up to 1 ppm. The filter features a safety shut-off system as well. Waterboss filter is made in the USA and carries a 3-year warranty on all its valve parts. The company also offers a 10-year warranty on the tank and outer shell.
Pros
It is extremely easy to install the whole system.
It can handle up to 15 ppm of iron.
The filter regenerates quite easily with potassium permanganate.
The compact bed of mesh resin allows the filter to backwash at a high rate of pressure.
Every unit includes ¾ inch fittings.
Cons
The water filter doesn’t last long and stops functioning after a few months.
Waterboss removes very minimal sulfur content.
The filter is fitted with rather cheap parts.
7 Aquasana Deluxe Shower Water Filter System
Determined to improve the water quality of your home supply more organically, this filtration system from Aquasana has been made out of coconut shell to keep things as natural as possible. Further blended with copper and zinc, the water finally coming out of the nozzle is free of contaminants and all the harsh chemicals including fluorides and sulfides. High on versatility, the system has various alternatives like massaging showerhead or handheld wand, to choose from to give you a customized bathing experience. Enhancing the pH level of water and purifying the surrounding air are just added health advantages offered complimentary.
Pros
This system has an approval from Premium NSF Certified Filtration Media for not eliminating iron from the water but also elements like lead and other chemical compounds.
The system is easy to install and takes about a few minutes. Fitted in just 4 simple steps, it seems like a child’s play and you’re set to take that chemical-free bath.
The filtration longs enough to purify thousands of gallons of water without getting low on efficiency.
This filtration system doesn’t cut your pockets deep and is quite an effective alternative to get a purified water supply. Capable to decontaminate your water for 6 long months by filtering 10,000 gallons of water, it’ll cost you just 25 cents a day.
Apart from removing iron and lead from your water, this system also draws the chlorine out, thereby, moisturizing your body after a bath.
Cons
The replacement of any part of the filtration system is a bit pricey.
The system has faced some glitches at the installation phase with loose cartridges being a concern for leakages.
Off late, reduced water pressure has been a concern for quite a few customers.
8 Camco 40043 TastePURE Water Filter
This water filter from Camco has become everyone’s favorite in no time for being high on functionality by staying on the lower end of the price spectrum. Capable of purifying your home water supply of all the impurities like iron, lead, and chlorine, it also doubles up as a marine water purifier. This has made it a staple of campers as the multifunctional attachment can be attached to just about any water supply source to make your water cleaner, healthier, and tastier. And with that wide design and perfectly aligned shape, there is no chance of a decreased water flow.
Pros
The filter can last for 3 months.
It not only removes iron from water but also other impurities like chlorine or sediments, thereby, making the water safe for drinking.
It can be attached to any water supply like in the gardens outside or to boats or RVs to ensure safe water on the move.
The filter discourages the growth of any bacteria when it is stored away or is not in use.
Lead is a proven carcinogenic and this filter has been certified by CSA for being lead-safe.
Cons
The seal sometimes goes into the filter.
There could be a probable leakage in the filter in case of a faulty installation.
The adapter of the hose can sometimes get loose threads that might need replacement.
Conclusion
With varying alternatives in the form of design, functionality, and range, there is something for everyone. But the need is to act and make a suitable purchase by investing in the best iron filter to keep your home and health at its best.
FAQs
Can iron in water impact my food?
Rust is formed by oxidation of iron and any oxidized thing has a harsh and pungent taste. Iron in the water is also rust particles and lend a metallic taste to the water. You’ll also notice all your vegetables and fruits getting blackened after being washed with that water. If you use that water to cook food or make beverages, it’ll make them all taste like metal. Also, the color of the food item would be pigmented red and not tasty even a bit. If you’re eating a strangely reddish food with foul taste, get that water cleaned immediately.
Can iron in water discolor my teeth?
Besides staining your porcelain bathroom fittings, iron is capable to stain the glory of your smile, i.e., your teeth. Every time you brush your teeth, rinse your mouth or drink a beverage made from tap water, iron in the water is leaving a stain on them. So, if your teeth are getting discolored for no reason and your teeth whitening efforts are not showing results, blame it on that iron in the water.
Is iron contaminated water harmful for health?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Iron is a secondary contaminant as it can carry inorganic compounds as well as bacteria with it. Hence, it is capable of causing liver, heart and pancreatic problems.
