Water Education - Water Quality

Remove Iron and Manganese from Water Page 2

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One highly useful technique in the treatment of water with an alkali such as soda ash to raise the pH of the acid water and chlorine to precipitate the iron. With such treatment, a simple carbon filter can be used to remove the insoluble iron from the water.

When rusty water and staining persists in spite of adequate and proper treatment, it is likely that iron bacteria or corrosion are responsible. Even where the iron content of water is slight, iron bacteria can feed on the iron and store it in their sheaths. Further, iron bacteria may actually take iron from the steel pipe. Occasionally a bacterial slime accumulation breaks up to cause discharge of extremely turbid water.

The presence of iron bacteria can be determined microscopically. Also at times, slimy reddish-brown growths will be apparent in the flush tanks of water closets.

The following procedure is effective in killing iron bacteria already in the piping system. It may be used periodically if necessary, but is primarily recommended when steps have been taken to prevent further entry of the bacteria:

  • Add approximately one-half gallon of sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) to the well. With some wells, it may be possible to add the liquid through the breather pipe. With others, it may be necessary to remove the good seal. Flush several gallons of water into the well to rinse the bleach down to the water level,
  • One at a time, open each household tap, letting the water run until the odor of chlorine is apparent. Close that tap and repeat it with the next one. Do this until the entire plumbing system is filled with chlorinated water.
  • After about 12 hours of contact time, the chlorinated water should be thoroughly flushed from the entire system. Considerable red water will be flushed out. Particular attention should be given to the flushing of the water heater, and draining of the heater is desirable.
*Sequestration: The forming of a complex molecule with an ion to prevent its normal chemical reaction. For example, polyphosphates “tie up" ferrous iron, and inhibit or hamper normal oxidation.** Polyphosphates: A group of molecularly dehydrated phosphates. In general, these materials do not have a crystalline structure, and are commonly referred to as “ glasses.” The poly phosphates are used in water conditioning for a variety of problems. They may be used to chemically soften water by “sequestering” hardness, to control iron and manganese staining by the same process, and to control corrosion by depositing a thin glass-like film on the interior of the water lines, water heaters, etc. They are available in the very soluble sodium form and in slowly soluble calcium or magnesium forms.
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