The Water Softener Blog

Monday, June 2, 2025

KDF Filtration Media - The Miracle Media for Well Water Treatment

Safe, Clean Water from Your Well—Without Chemicals

If you rely on well water, you're probably familiar with the challenges: unpleasant odors, staining from iron, and concerns about bacteria or heavy metals. KDF filtration media offers a powerful, chemical-free way to solve these problems at the source.

What Is KDF Filtration?

KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) is a high-purity copper-zinc filtration media that removes contaminants from water through a natural process called redox (oxidation-reduction). As water flows through the media, electrons are transferred between elements, changing harmful substances into harmless ones—or filtering them out entirely.

KDF is most commonly used as a pre-filter in well water systems, where it does some heavy lifting before the water reaches carbon filters, softeners, or reverse osmosis membranes.

How KDF Filtration Media Improves Well Water?

✅ Kills Bacteria

KDF media creates an environment that’s hostile to microbial growth. It disrupts bacteria, algae, and fungi without needing chemicals or UV light. This helps keep your filtration system clean and reduces the risk of contaminated water.

✅ Neutralizes Hydrogen Sulfide (Rotten Egg Smell)

If your water smells like sulfur, KDF-85 can help. It oxidizes hydrogen sulfide gas into solid sulfur, which is easily removed by filtration—leaving your water odor-free and fresh-tasting.

✅ Removes Iron

KDF oxidizes dissolved iron (Fe²⁺) into a solid form (Fe³⁺) that can be filtered out. No more rust-colored stains on sinks, tubs, or laundry.

✅ Reduces Heavy Metals

KDF targets dangerous metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. Through redox reactions and electrochemical bonding, these metals are neutralized or captured before they reach your tap.

Why Choose KDF for Your Well Water?

Chemical-Free: No chlorine, ozone, or peroxide required
Long-Lasting Media: With proper maintenance, KDF can last for years
Stops Bacteria at the Filter: Prevents biofilm and slime buildup
Boosts Performance: Protects and extends the life of carbon filters and softeners
Environmentally Friendly: Non-toxic and recyclable media

Where Is KDF Used?

KDF media is versatile and commonly used in:

Whole-house well water filtration systems
Water Softening Systems
Point-of-entry (POE) filters
Pre-treatment for reverse osmosis
Inline and shower filters

Let’s Fix Your Water—Naturally

If you're tired of bad smells, stained fixtures, or concerns about what's in your water, KDF filtration might be the perfect solution. Whether you're upgrading your current system or installing new equipment, we can help you design a filtration setup that fits your needs—and your water.

I wish you Good Days, and Good Water!

"The Water Softener Blog"

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Water Softener Salt Part #1

Water softeners are essential for households dealing with hard water and iron, which can damage plumbing, reduce the efficiency and lifespan of appliances, and leave residue on dishes, clothing, and plumbing fixtures. A key component in this system is water softener salt, which helps regenerate the softener's resin beads and keep the system running smoothly to provide worry free soft water.

Types of Water Softener Salt

Water softener salt comes in various forms, including pellets, crystals, blocks, and compacted flakes. Among these, Dura Cube and Hardi Cube salt—formed into small, compacted flakes—is popular due to its high efficiency in regeneration cycles and clean operation.

When shopping for water softener salt, consumers often encounter options like Morton, and Diamond Crystal Pellet Salt, Diamond Crystal Solar Salt, Dura-Cube, and Hardi-Cube. While they may appear similar, there are notable differences in quality, purity, and performance of your water treatment equipment.

Morton and Diamond Crystal Pellet Salt

What it is: Pellet salt is often less expensive and available in bulk from various manufacturers. It serves the basic purpose of softening water by regenerating the softener's ion-exchange resin.

Pros:

Lower cost
Available in big-box stores, grocery stores, and hardware stores
Available with iron removing additives

Cons:

Contains more insoluble impurities (dirt, silt, minerals)
Can lead to salt bridging (hard crusts) or mushing (sludge)
Requires more frequent maintenance and semi-annual brine tank cleaning

Morton and Diamond Crystal Pellet water softener salt is available at box stores, grocery stores, and hardware stores.

Dura-Cube® Water Softener Salt

Manufacturer: Cargill

What sets it apart: Dura-Cube is a premium brand of water softener cube salt known for its high purity and durability. Dura Cube Water Softener Salt is only sold by Water Treatment Dealers.

Features:

Typically 99.8% pure salt
Compressed under high pressure to reduce mushing and bridging
Available in regular, red-out (with rust remover), and potassium chloride options
Less insoluble material, which means cleaner operation

Best for:

Households looking for low-maintenance softener operation
Areas with high iron content (when using Red-Out Dura-Cube)
Protecting and extending the life of appliances

Dura-Cube water softener salt is only available at Water Treatment Dealers

Hardi-Cube® Water Softener Salt

Manufacturer: Cargill (Diamond Crystal branding)

What sets it apart: Hardi-Cube salt is the same as Dura-Cube. It is branded under Diamond Crystal. Hardi-Cube name is sold by retailers and water treatment dealers. In terms of quality and target market but may offer slightly different compressions and additives depending on the brand.

Features:

High-purity salt, 99.8% pure salt
Formulated to reduce bridging and mushing
Also available with additives like rust remover

Best for:

Consumers wanting high performance and reliability
Systems that benefit from rust-removing additives
Consistent, long-term water softener operation

Hardi_Cube Water Softener salt is available from Water Treatment Dealers and Select Hardware Stores such as ACE Hardware

Summary: Key Differences

Feature Pellet Salt Dura-Cube Hardi-Cube

Purity	Lower (varies)	~99.8% ~99.8%
Additives Available	(rust remover)	(Red-Out) (Red-Out)
Bridging/Mushing	Most likely	Less likely Less likely
Price	Cheapest	Higher Higher
Maintenance Needs	High	Low Low

Final Thoughts

While generic cube salt may be sufficient for some, investing in premium options like Dura-Cube or Hardi-Cube can offer long-term benefits. These include better water softener performance, reduced maintenance, and protection of household appliances. For those in areas with high iron or mineral content, these higher-purity options can make a noticeable difference in system efficiency and longevity.

Choosing the right water softener salt isn't just about price—it's about optimizing your home's water system for reliability and performance.

Where to find Water Softener Salt Near You:

Dura Cube: https://www.cargill.com/page/na/pros-pick-water-softener-and-pool-salt

Hardi Cube: https://www.diamondcrystalsalt.com/product/hardi-cube-water-softener-salt

Morton Pellet Salt: https://www.mortonsalt.com/where-to-buy/

I wish you Good days, and Good water!

"The Water Softener Blog"

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Mycoplasma Bacteria in Well Water: Health Risks, Hidden Dangers, and Effective Removal Strategies

Private well owners rely on the quality of their groundwater for safe and clean drinking water. While many are familiar with common contaminants such as coliform bacteria, nitrates, or heavy metals, fewer are aware of Mycoplasma—a genus of bacteria that can be present in well water and pose serious health risks. What makes Mycoplasma particularly insidious is its ability to hide in biofilms within household plumbing, making it difficult to detect and eradicate without targeted treatment.

What Are Mycoplasma Bacteria?

Mycoplasma are a group of bacteria lacking a cell wall, which makes them unique among prokaryotes. This structural difference renders them resistant to many conventional antibiotics (such as penicillin) that target bacterial cell walls. Common species include Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which causes respiratory infections, and Mycoplasma hominis, associated with urogenital infections.

Although typically transmitted via person-to-person contact, Mycoplasma have been detected in water systems, especially where biofilms are present.

How Mycoplasma Enter and Survive in Well Water

Mycoplasma can infiltrate well systems through various routes:

Surface contamination: Poorly sealed wells or surface runoff can introduce bacteria from soil or animal waste.
Faulty septic systems: Leaching from septic tanks into groundwater can introduce pathogens, including Mycoplasma.
Cross-contamination: Shared plumbing with contaminated systems or unsanitized equipment can spread these bacteria.

Once introduced, Mycoplasma can colonize biofilms—complex communities of microorganisms attached to surfaces inside pipes, faucets, and water heaters. Biofilms protect bacteria from disinfectants, allow them to persist undetected, and periodically release pathogens back into the water supply.

Health Effects of Mycoplasma in Water

The presence of Mycoplasma in drinking water is not as well studied as other pathogens, but research suggests several potential health concerns:

Respiratory infections: Inhalation of aerosols containing Mycoplasma pneumoniae (e.g., during showering) can cause bronchitis or pneumonia.
Gastrointestinal symptoms: Contaminated drinking water may lead to nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps.
Chronic infections: For immunocompromised individuals, persistent exposure to Mycoplasma can cause prolonged or systemic infections.

Due to their small size and lack of a cell wall, Mycoplasma can evade traditional water testing methods and immune detection, making them a stealthy threat in household water systems.

Biofilms: The Hidden Habitat

Biofilms are a major contributor to persistent waterborne contamination. In a private well system, biofilms can form on:

The interior surfaces of pipes and faucets
Water softeners and filtration units
Hot water tanks and humidifiers

Mycoplasma thrive in these environments due to protection from environmental stresses and chemical disinfectants. This allows them to survive routine disinfection processes and recolonize water systems even after treatment.

Detecting Mycoplasma in Well Water

Detection requires more advanced techniques than standard bacterial testing:

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): Highly sensitive genetic tests that can identify Mycoplasma DNA.
Specialized cultures: Some labs offer custom water tests specifically for Mycoplasma.
Microscopy and staining: Used in research or specialized diagnostic labs.

Regular testing for coliform bacteria won’t necessarily detect Mycoplasma, so if you suspect unusual illness linked to water usage, consider broader microbial testing.

Best Methods to Remove Mycoplasma from Private Well Water

To effectively combat Mycoplasma in well water, both immediate and long-term strategies are needed.

1. Shock Chlorination

A common method for disinfecting wells. It involves introducing a high dose of chlorine into the well and plumbing system to kill microorganisms.

Pros: Kills many bacteria, including those in water and some in biofilms.
Cons: May not penetrate deep enough into the well water column or mature biofilms; effectiveness against Mycoplasma is limited.

2. UV Water Purification

Ultraviolet light disrupts bacterial DNA, preventing reproduction.

Pros: Effective against Mycoplasma in free-floating (planktonic) state; chemical-free.
Cons: Does not remove biofilms; must be used in conjunction with pre-filtration for optimal performance.

3. Point-of-Use Reverse Osmosis (RO)

RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane to remove a wide range of contaminants.

Pros: Effective at removing small bacteria like Mycoplasma; improves overall water quality.
Cons: Only treats water at one tap unless installed as a whole-house system.

4. Routine Biofilm Disruption

Mechanical and chemical cleaning of plumbing systems can help dislodge biofilms.

Flush lines and appliances regularly
Use biofilm-targeting cleaners (e.g., hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants)
Install filters that inhibit biofilm growth, such as those with silver, KDF filter media, or activated carbon with antimicrobial coatings

5. Well Maintenance and Sealing

Ensure your well casing and cap are intact and properly sealed to prevent surface infiltration. Annual inspections can prevent contaminants from entering in the first place.

"The Water Softener Blog" - Well Water Checklist

Conclusion

While Mycoplasma bacteria in well water may not yet be as widely recognized as E. coli or Giardia, their ability to survive in biofilms and cause health issues—especially in vulnerable populations—demands attention. Private well owners should remain vigilant, conduct regular water testing with a broader spectrum of microbial analysis, and invest in multi-layered water treatment strategies that target both water and biofilm-associated contaminants. With proactive maintenance and the right treatment technologies, the risk from Mycoplasma can be effectively managed.

Reference material for this article and information on Mycoplasma in water and how it effects your health.

Mycobacteria: Drinking Water Factsheet

Cleveland Clinic: Mycoplasma Health Issues

Survival of Mycoplasmas in water at Elevated Temperatures

5 Ntural Ways to Help Mycoplasma Treatment

Mycoplasma Contamination: Everything You Should Know

I wish you Good Days, and Good Water!

"The Water Softener Blog"

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Systems - What are they and why we all need one.

Reverse Osmosis filtration is a process where water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane to reduce total dissolved solids and other contaminants from water to supply clean, fresh drinking water. A typical residential reverse osmosis system will have 3 to 7 stages of filtration consisting of a 5-micron sediment pre-filter, an Activated carbon filter, a Block carbon filter, a Reverse Osmosis Membrane, an In-line Activated carbon post filter, and a water holding tank. The pre-filter and carbon filters are there to remove sediment and any chlorine that may be present in the water supply to protect the membrane from becoming fouled out with iron and large particulate matter to protect the reverse osmosis membrane. The RO membrane is the main stage of the filtration process and removes up to 99% of contaminants in the water supply. The list of filtration a Reverse Osmosis drinking water system will remove is extensive. There are many potentially harmful contaminants in drinking water such as Nitrates, Lead, Arsenic, Trihalomethanes, "VOCs" (Volatile Organic Compounds), PFAS, and many more that are potentially harmful to our health. A Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System is designed to reduce or remove these things to give us high-quality drinking water.

Let's look at the Reverse Osmosis Process and how drinking high-quality, pure water, every day can help our health and save us money.

The Reverse Osmosis Process:

The Reverse Osmosis membrane consists of many layers of spiral wound filaments that restrict the passage of contaminants and force them to the drain. The product water is drawn from the inside of the membrane and sent to the RO water storage tank before it goes through final carbon filtration as it goes to the RO faucet or refrigerator. A typical residential Reverse Osmosis system makes anywhere from 10-75 gallons per day of high-quality drinking water depending on the TDS (Total dissolved solids) of the incoming water supply, feed pressure, and the temperature of the feed water. Generally, the higher the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), the less product water is produced and lower quality water will be created. For high TDS water a “Booster Pump” is incorporated to boost the incoming water pressure through the membrane to improve the quality and quantity of water the product water produced.

Cutaway of a Reverse Osmosis Membrane and RO Membrane in filter housing:

Particulate size removal chart for a Reverse Osmosis system:

Diagram of a Reverse Osmosis System installation under a sink:

When it's feasible, it is recommended to have the reverse osmosis system installed in the basement for easy maintenance, ease of filter changes and not tie up valuable space under the kitchen sink. Larger storage tanks can be used when installed in the basement and product tanks can even be hung in the floor joists to help with water pressure to the RO faucet and refrigerator. Delivery pumps can also installed to boost the pressure from the storage tank to run water across the basement to operate refrigerators efficiently and supply higher pressure to multiple locations and RO faucets. RO filters are changed every 6-12 months and the RO membrane is changed every 3-7 years depending on water usage and incoming water quality to the RO system. Filter changes can cost anywhere from $60 to over $200 depending on the RO system and the type of filters to change. RO membranes generally cost $65 to $120. Anyone can change these filters but certain procedures should be followed when changing RO filters to protect against bacterial cross contamination from our hands that can potentially contaminate the RO system and drinking water. Periodic sanitizing of the complete RO system is recommended to prevent possible contamination.

There are three styles of residential reverse osmosis systems:

1. Basic RO system with 3-7 stages of filtration

2. 3-4 stage RO system with a one-piece manifold and replaceable filters

3. 3-6 stage RO system with a one-piece manifold and quick change filter cartridges

Reverse Osmosis storage tanks come in many sizes to accommodate necessary water storage:

Rather than getting into the histrionics about dangerous things that can potentially be in our water and how they can be hazardous to our health, let’s address one fact. We all need to drink more water! Our Doctors tell us that, our bodies tell us that every time we get thirsty, we all need to stop drinking so many sugary drinks, energy drinks, coffee, drinks with artificial sweeteners, etc... Dehydration is the number one contributor to health-related issues. Our bodies are over 80% water so keeping hydrated is of the utmost importance and drinking water is the only way to stay hydrated.

Purchasing water for the home is time-consuming, expensive, and a pain to constantly buy bottles of water or schedule water deliveries. Not to mention finding the space to store it all. We all need to drink more water, and many of us are as evidenced by the bottled water flying off store shelves and being delivered to households every week. The bottled water industry has been growing by nearly 15% annually. A Reverse Osmosis drinking water system is the answer to this problem and the most practical way of having all the quality drinking water we need (AT PENNIES PER GALLON) and giving your family high-quality drinking water 24/7, 365 days a year. So do yourself a favor! Get a Reverse Osmosis system for your home and family and DRINK UP there is plenty of water for everyone!

Here are helpful links about reverse osmosis, drinking water contaminants, drinking water regulations, and concerns about what may be in our water.

Wikipedia - What is Reverse Osmosis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_osmosis

EPA - Drinking water contaminants

http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/index.cfm

EPA - Groundwater and Drinking water

http://water.epa.gov/drink/

Wikipedia - Contaminant levels

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_Contaminant_Level

How Stuff Works - Reverse Osmosis

http://science.howstuffworks.com/reverse-osmosis.htm

Water Sense - Reverse Osmosis

https://www.epa.gov/watersense/point-use-reverse-osmosis-systems#:~:text=RO%20is%20the%20process%20by,VOCs)%2C%20PFAS%2C%20arsenic%2C

I wish you Good Days, and Good Water!

"The Water Softener Blog"

Sunday, August 6, 2017

"Water Filters" part 2 - When, What, Why and How to use a whole house filtration system.

Hellenbrand's next-generation Iron Curtain

In this second installment of "Water Filters," we will be looking at whole-house filtration systems for iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide removal along with iron bacteria and coliform bacteria. When to use a whole house filtration system, what to use, why use a particular type of filter system, and how to apply the right system for your water and family.

Frequently, water treatment professionals refer to water that is extremely high in iron, manganese, and H2S as "problem water" because it can be a challenge at times to find the proper solution to treat particular water problems and, quite frankly, it can take some experimenting with different methods to finally find the right water treatment method that works effectively and consistently.

In the first article "Water Filters Part 1" we discussed using cartridge-style pre-filters. As discussed, they are mainly for sediment removal although there is a myriad of cartridge filters that can be used for chlorine and lead removal, along with taste and odor filters. The types of cartridge filters available (for specific water problems) and sizes are just mind-boggling. As discussed in this blog, a proper water analysis is the most important first step in determining the right water treatment solutions for your water. In doing research for this blog I looked at quite a few "YouTube" videos because I was curious what some of the so-called "water experts" were

This is a nightmare!!

recommending for iron and odor filtration. What I would say from the videos I watched is "Don't watch any of those videos!" They all pretty much recommended exactly what I said not to do in Water Filters 1. Listen, if you have too much iron or ANY odor in your water putting a filter cartridge before or after the water softener is a very short-term fix and is NOT going to solve the problem, period! Even if you put a bigger filter or a series of bigger filters before or after the water softener it won't fix the problem! All you will end up doing is spending a lot of money replacing filters and having water that is "OK" until the filters get plugged up again. And guess what? That 20" BB carbon filter you need for odor removal, could easily cost over $100.00 every time you change it, for a short-term fix, possibly every 1-3 months or more frequently! That is just not a practical solution to the problem or a cheap solution in the long run.

Bad, rusty, smelly, hard water problems take the proper water treatment approach to assure consistently great water for many years, and finding the right water treatment professional to fix your water problems can be like winning the lottery. It's been my experience that for every water treatment expert, there are ten, (what I like to refer to them as), hit-and-run water treatment companies. They literally just take your money and run and don't solve your water problems. It pays to do your research and find a good water treatment expert to keep you in great water and support you for years to come. If you want to do this yourself, and you are handy at plumbing then you've come to the right place! We help you understand how this all works and find the right water treatment solutions for your water and family.

What is the easiest way to tell if you need a whole-house water filtration system?
1. You need to use water softener salt like Red Out salt, System Saver salt, Iron Fighter, etc. to help your water softener remove iron or manganese.
2. You use any powered additives like Iron Out, Rust Out, Softener Mate, etc., to treat your water softener for iron/rust problems.
3. You are constantly cleaning the toilets, showers, dishwashers, and sinks regularly to remove rust stains or black stains.
4. The women in the home need regular hair treatments to remove iron from their hair. Then again orange/red hair is in vogue these days!
5. Your clothes come out of the wash with rust stains, discoloration, or spots. Especially whites.
6. Your water is consistently discolored. Especially the hot water and bath water.
7. Your water is constantly rusty, smelly, has a musty odor, or has a swampy smell to it.
8. Your water is causing corrosion on sinks and appliances. Rusting out or even eating metal away.

If you answered yes to any of these questions you need a whole house water filtration system. In our area, about 80% of the well water we treat needs an iron/odor filtration system, before a water softener, to assure all the iron and manganese are removed along with the trace amount of hydrogen sulfide.

I can't stress enough that a proper water analysis is key in finding the right water treatment solution to treat your water. Especially when it comes to problem water solutions. PH levels play an especially important role in these problem water solutions as acidic water makes it much more difficult to oxidize, precipitate, and remove iron, manganese, and H2S. If the water is too acidic (below 6.5 PH) an acid neutralizer, such as calcite and corosex media, may need to be added to elevate the PH to levels above 7 (Neutral). There is a myriad of filter media options to choose from to treat every water problem so I will just stick with the most prevalent filtration media for problem water treatment. Every water treatment dealer has their preference and knows what works best in their area by trial and error. In reality, it's really practice, practice, practice by water treatment dealers to determine the proper water treatment solution.

Another very important aspect to look at when treating any well water is the well itself.
1. Is the well cap intact and sealed properly?
2. Is the well tank working properly? Is the pressure switch working properly, does the pressure gauge work, is the well tank holding pressure, is the well tank waterlogged, and does the well tank have the proper precharge pressure for the switch.
3. Is there enough water pressure and gallons per minute of water to operate a water treatment system efficiently. The minimum water pressure should be 30 psi. The minimum "gallons per minute" flow rate from the well or cistern should be 10gpm.

The most important thing in beginning to solve your water problem is to take notes on what you see going on with the water inside the home and outside. If you hire a water treatment professional discuss this with them fully. Take them around the house, and show them the problem areas. Toilets, showers, dishwashers, etc. When helping a homeowner solve their water problems listening to them as they describe the problems with their water is always the first step and is vital in any treatment solution. Homeowners live with their water every day and may have valuable insight into something that is not quite apparent at the time the water is tested. Water can be really weird at times and the people living with it every day have a lot of insight into helping solve their water problems and providing them great water!

Whole House Filtration System Options.

Manganese Greensand Filter

1. Manganese Greensand filters - These systems use either potassium permanganate (Oxidizing chemical) or chlorine to oxidize and regenerate the filter media. Typically regenerates every other day or by gallons used. MTM media is also an option. It is lighter, easier to backwash, and has higher service flow rates.

Pros: Reasonably priced, fairly inexpensive to operate, does a good job at removing lower levels of iron, manganese, and H2S.

Cons: Requires a lot of maintenance and regular service. The media is very dense and heavy. Consequently, it has very low service flow rates (3-7 GPM) necessary for today's modern households and requires higher water pressures (30+ lbs) and water volumes to effectively backwash and regenerate the media.

2. Chlorine or Hydrogen Peroxide Injection - Injection/retention/oxidation and filtration to oxidize iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and filtration tank to remove oxidized particulates and residual chlorine or peroxide. This type of system is also frequently used when bacteria is a continual problem from the water source. With difficult bacteria problems often this is the only option for treatment. Contact time (center blue tank) is vital in this application for the chlorine/hydrogen peroxide to have time to oxidize or sanitize whatever the water is being treated for. Filtration to remove oxidized matter comes next then carbon filtration to remove residual chlorine or peroxide before household use. With extremely high levels of Hydrogen Sulfide, Bacteria, and Iron Bacteria, this is often the only option to treat the water.

Pros: A very effective method of oxidizing iron, and manganese, removing hydrogen sulfide, and sanitizing the water. When iron bacteria or coliform bacteria are a continuous problem in well water supplies this is one of the best methods to ensure bacteria-free water.

Cons: As you can see from the diagram this can be a rather complex system and can require weekly maintenance having to add chlorine or peroxide along with regular maintenance on the entire system to assure proper operation. Chlorine by-products such as Trihalomethanes are known to be carcinogenic.

3. Ozonation - Ozone treatment is also an option for oxidizing iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide, and treating iron bacteria and nuisance bacteria from your well.

Pros: Ozone adds nothing to the water, other than pure oxygen, and is an effective oxidizer for iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide removal. It's also very effective at killing bacteria such as coliform, iron bacteria, and sulfate-reducing bacteria. It's also very effective at removing Microbes, Giardia,
Cryptosporidium, Fungi, molds, parasites, and common odors in water.

Hellenbrand Residential Ozone System

Cons: Ozone has a very short lifespan, seconds. So it must be constantly generated. Ozone systems can be very maintenance intensive and require an experienced professional to maintain and apply properly. Ozone can be very corrosive to copper and galvanized plumbing as well. The indoor environment the ozone is created has to be very dry so most residential basements are not good environments for this. Frequently a separate air dryer is necessary to properly dry the air out in basement applications so the ozone generator works properly.

4. Aeration - Aeration is a filtration method that uses air either drawn into or injected into a filter tank to oxidize iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide. The types of filter media used for aeration systems are endless. Birm, Filter AG, Multi-media, Zeolite, and Centaur carbon are just some of the different types of media used in this type of filtration system.

Early Aeration systems used an inline "Venturi" nozzle which drew air into the incoming well line, when the submersible well pump was running, before the well tank. As shown in this diagram. The iron and manganese are oxidized in the bladder style well tank, and frequently an additional aeration tank, then filtered out with a backwashing filter. The problems with this venturi-style system are several.
1. The venturi nozzle creates so much back pressure on submersible pumps they run continuously trying to build pressure at the well tank. Eventually, the submersible pump will overheat and fail.
2. The venturi nozzle greatly restricts the water pressure and water volume causing insufficient water volume to properly backwash the filter media tanks. Causing the filter media to foul out prematurely. Hence these systems typically need the filtration media replaced every 3-7 years. Depending on the water chemistry and water usage.
3. A common problem with this venturi style also is oxidized iron and manganese plugging up the water line from the venturi nozzle to the bladder/well tank, aeration tank, and/or filtration tank causing severe pressure loss. This requires annual or semi-annual maintenance to clean out the lines and flush the well tank. Consequently, the lack of household water pressure and water volumes necessary to efficiently operate a home is a problem. So this style system is rarely used now.

Venturi Nozzle

2 Tank Aeration Filtration system

This "Two Tank" style Aeration system has been popular for a very long time and was the next generation after the Venturi style. The first tank or "Contact Tank" has air pumped into it with a small air compressor. This creates "Microbubbles" of oxygen so iron and manganese are oxidized, become a particle, fall out of the water, and then travel to the filtration tank for removal. Depending on the manufacturer. The system can be programmed to run the air compressor at certain intervals. Example: Every 10 min for 30 seconds. Depending on water chemistry and household water usage. This system is normally set to backwash every night. Small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can also be removed with this method. Generally, 1ppm of H2S or less can be successfully removed depending on the levels of iron and manganese present in the water supply. Higher levels of H2S require chlorination or hydrogen peroxide systems as described above. One of the issues with this style is mud balls developed in the bottom of the contact tank and the valve heads would become plugged with iron. This style of filtration system typically needs to be rebuilt and the filtration media replaced about every three years, depending on the water chemistry and water usage. These systems use a "Multi-Media" filtration pack as the filter media. This would need to be replaced at those same intervals and have the contact tank flushed. Causing this system to be rather a service-intensive and expensive proposition to keep rebuilding.

Single Tank Aeration Filter System

The newest generation and, in my opinion, the best aeration filtration system, is now a single-tank filtration system. It is very simple and works extremely well. Air is drawn into the tank during regeneration through a small venturi nozzle that is incorporated into the valve body, this can be cleaned very easily when necessary. This is the same type of process used on water softeners to draw brine. With the electronics available now, especially on "Clack" valves, each system can be custom-programmed for every household. Allowing for greater flexibility in setting up the system for water chemistry, draw time, and backwash lengths. The Clack valve also runs according to gallons or a day override to ensure you have filtered, conditioned water even during peak periods of water usage. This diagram shows most of the oxidation of iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide occurs in the upper third of the tank. But the whole tank is flooded with oxygen so the oxidation process happens all through the filter media bed. This system typically regenerates every 2-3 days or by gallons used. Whichever comes first.

When using any filtration system bed depth and contact time is of the utmost importance. Oxidation and filtration of iron, manganese, and H2S can take some time so it is generally better to have a taller tank, such as a 10x54 or 13x54 for residential use to allow enough time for this whole process to work effectively. The higher the iron and manganese levels are the larger the size tank is required to work effectively and have a longer lifespan. Larger filter tanks like a

Duplexed backwashing filtration system

13x54, along with duplexed or triplexed filter tanks should be considered with iron levels above 5ppm and manganese levels above 2ppm. Especially with households that use high volumes of water. Water pressures of 30psi-70psi are optimal for proper backwashing and cleaning of the filter media, no matter what type is used. Filter systems require at least 5gpm to backwash properly. Larger systems may require 7-10gpm, depending on the filter media used. The good news is these systems can filter down to 5 microns meaning they are very efficient at the filtration of fine particulates.

Pros: The Aeration process is the simplest method and, with a single-tank aeration system, requires very little maintenance. Many different options for filter media are available to accommodate your particular water problems.

Cons: Aeration systems are not for use with high levels of hydrogen sulfide or iron bacteria. High levels of dissolved oxygen, with an aeration system, can cause copper corrosion.

To summarize: Every water treatment problem has its own unique solutions. To find your solution start with a complete water analysis to determine what's in the water first and then you can begin to address the proper solution for your home.

I wish you Good Days and Good Water!

The Water Softener Blog

Below are links related to the topics discussed in this article.

Water Testing: Water Check

Find a Certified Water Treatment Dealer in your area

Selecting a Home Water Treatment System

WellOwner.Org

How the Oxidation and Filtration process works

Water Filter Media Guide

Water Treatment Manufacturers:
Hellenbrand Water Treatment
Water Right Inc.
Nelsen Corporation

Clack Corporation

Fleck Water Treatment by Pentair