Iron and manganese staining
How do I remove iron from well water?
Dissolved iron oxidizes when it meets air, leaving orange staining; manganese leaves black specks and grey laundry.
How you notice it
- Orange or brown staining in sinks, tubs and toilets
- Black flecks in filters or on laundry
- Metallic taste
- Rust-coloured slime in toilet tanks
Why it happens
Carbonate and sandstone aquifers hold iron and manganese in solution under low-oxygen conditions. It only becomes visible after your tap.
The fix
- Air-injection oxidizing filter ahead of the softener — no chemical feed
- Sediment prefilter if the water also carries grit
- Fine-mesh softener resin tolerates the residual iron a filter leaves
- Shock-chlorinate the well if iron bacteria slime is present
Equipment that solves it
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SpringWell WS1 Air-Injection Iron & Manganese Filter
Oxidizes dissolved iron and manganese, then filters it out — no chemical feed, no staining.
$60 USD/yr consumables · standard
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US Water Systems Matrixx Infusion Iron & Sulfur System
For carbonate and sandstone wells with heavy iron plus rotten-egg sulfur odour on the hot side.
$90 USD/yr consumables · premium
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iSpring F4WGB22BM 4-Pack 20″ Replacement Filter Set (for WGB22BM)
Complete 4-cartridge 20″×4.5″ replacement pack (2× sediment/carbon, 2× iron/manganese reducing) for 2-stage WGB22BM systems.
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Max Water Iron & Manganese 3-Cartridge Replacement Set (10″×2.5″)
Three-cartridge 10″×2.5″ replacement set for standard slim housings — sediment, iron/manganese reduction, and carbon stages.
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PUREPLUS RFN10BB-SZ Iron & Manganese Cartridge (10″×4.5″)
Big Blue cartridge (10″×4.5″) for dissolved iron and manganese reduction in standard 10-inch housings — fixes rust staining at the source.
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iSpring WGB32BM 3-Stage Whole House Filter (20″ Big Blue)
20″ Big Blue 3-stage POE: sediment, CTO carbon, and catalytic iron/manganese media. Bridges the gap when iron staining is active but full air-injection is overkill.
Check price on AmazonWorks with: 4.5″ × 20″ Refillable KDF 85 + KDF 55 + Carbon Cartridge
Refills & maintenance
iSpring FM25B 20″×4.5″ Iron & Manganese Cartridge (for WGB32BM)
iSpring F3WGB32BM 3-Stage 20″ Replacement Filter Set
iSpring FM25B 20″×4.5″ Iron & Manganese Cartridge (for WGB32BM)
High-capacity 20″×4.5″ catalytic media cartridge for the iSpring WGB32BM. Treats iron up to 3.0 ppm and manganese up to 1.0 ppm on moderate staining wells.
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iSpring F3WGB32BM 3-Stage 20″ Replacement Filter Set
Complete 3-cartridge 20″×4.5″ replacement set (sediment, CTO carbon, and iron/manganese) for the iSpring WGB32BM.
Check price on AmazonPentair Pentek 150468 Big Blue 20″ Filter Housing (3/4″ Ports)
Whole-house DIY Big Blue housing for sediment and iron filtration, with 3/4″ ports. Fits standard 20″ × 4.5″ cartridges.
Check price on AmazonWorks with: 4.5″ × 20″ Refillable KDF 85 + KDF 55 + Carbon Cartridge, iSpring WGB32BM 3-Stage Whole House Filter (20″ Big Blue)
Refills & maintenance
4.5″ × 20″ Refillable KDF 85 + KDF 55 + Carbon Cartridge
4.5″ × 20″ Refillable KDF 85 + KDF 55 + Carbon Cartridge
Refillable KDF 85, KDF 55, and carbon cartridge for sulfur smell and iron, made for 20″ Big Blue housings.
Check price on AmazonWorks with: Pentair Pentek 150468 Big Blue 20″ Filter Housing (3/4″ Ports), iSpring WGB32BM 3-Stage Whole House Filter (20″ Big Blue)
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove iron from well water?
Dissolved iron oxidizes when it meets air, leaving orange staining; manganese leaves black specks and grey laundry. Carbonate and sandstone aquifers hold iron and manganese in solution under low-oxygen conditions. It only becomes visible after your tap.
How do I know if I have iron and manganese staining?
Common signs include: Orange or brown staining in sinks, tubs and toilets; Black flecks in filters or on laundry; Metallic taste. Confirm with an accredited lab before buying treatment gear.
What is the fix for iron and manganese staining?
Air-injection oxidizing filter ahead of the softener — no chemical feed Sediment prefilter if the water also carries grit Fine-mesh softener resin tolerates the residual iron a filter leaves Shock-chlorinate the well if iron bacteria slime is present
Should I treat the whole house or just drinking water?
Staining, scale, and bacteria risks are usually whole-home issues. Taste, dissolved solids, and some metals can be finished at a kitchen RO tap after the main train is correct.
How do I match this problem to my municipality?
Open the provincial directory and the municipality page if one is published. This guide does not list places from a hardness or depth model.
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