Iron, Manganese & H2S Reduction

Urbans Aqua supplies a variety of custom residential and commercial iron filters.

The EPA considers iron to be a “nuisance” chemical.  Iron has an aesthetically unpleasing taste and may result in corrosion and staining.  The SMCL (secondary maximum contaminant level)  limit for iron is .3 ppm.

Dealers should consult Urbans Aqua to choose the best solution.  Selection of the iron filter is dependent on the water analysis.  Iron Filter choices include:

• Water Softeners
• Ozone such as the Master Fusion Ozone System
• Air injection oxidizing filters
• Oxidation followed by a Filter Ag Plus® or Turbidex filters
• Media systems such as Birm® and GreensandPlus® filters

Urbans Aqua is a wholesale distributor of Master Fusion Ozone Systems for Iron, Manganese and Hydrogen Sulfide (Rotten Egg Odor) Reduction

Your customers expect their water to be clear, clean and odor free throughout the home.  Master Fusion whole house ozone systems are designed to reduce iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide (the troublesome trio).  The EPA has set a maximum contaminant level for iron at 3 ppm and manganese at .05 ppm.  Low levels of hydrogen sulfide have an aesthetically unpleasant odor and have not been found to be carcinogenic to humans.

Iron & Manganese Removal

• When a water softener isn’t the solution for iron and manganese removal, professionals choose oxidation with air or chlorine followed by filtration.  This tried and true method works well.
• Once oxidized, iron and manganese can be filtered.  The most common oxidant is chlorine.
  • Chorine creates a harmful by-product known as THM (trihalomethane) and HAA5 (Halo acetic acids).  The EPA has determined that “these disinfection by-products, if consumed over many years, may increase health hazards”. EPA Regulation Disinfection Byproducts

Hydrogen Sulfide Removal

• Hydrogen sulfide is a regional problem.  This unpleasant odor, often described as “rotten egg odor”, can be detected at levels ranging from 0.0005 to 0.3 parts hydrogen sulfide per million parts of air (ppm).
• Like iron and manganese, this contaminant is easily oxidized and filtered.  In many cases professionals will follow up with catalytic carbon to remove residual odor and chlorine.

Although chlorine is an effective oxidant, a healthier alternative is ozone.

The Master Fusion Ozone system is a simple one tank solution that leaves water tasting clean and fresh.

Benefits

• Ozone naturally deactivates contaminants through oxidation.
• Ozone produces no disinfection by-products.
• Ozone is 1.5 times stronger than chlorine and air.
• Ozone is environmentally friendly
• Ozone has been used for water purification since 1906.

System Features

• Easy installation and serviceability
• Designed for longevity, featuring a double layer of protection to ensure the brine elbow check valve stays properly inserted.
• All internals, including the entire volume of the mineral tank gets cleaned with ozone every regeneration
• User-friendly interface
• No mixing of chemicals or feed pump maintenance
• Safe for pipes and septic systems
• Cleanable, reusable corona cell

Master Water - Fusion Series 2.0 Iron/Manganese Filter Specifications

1. Not tested at peak flow rate.
2. Iron removal may vary depending on local conditions.

Master Water - Fusion Series 2.0 Sulfur Filter Specifications

1. Not tested at peak flow rate.
2. Iron removal may vary depending on local conditions.
3. Hydrogen Sulfide removal may vary depending on local conditions.

Downloads:

• Sell Sheet FUSION Series 2-1
• Spec Sheet Fusion 2.0 
• Manual Fusion & Clarifier 2.0 Manual

Considerations when installing or troubleshooting iron filters.

• To operate properly, most filters beds require expansion of at least 40%.
  • Unlike a water softener, filtration is a mechanical process.
  • The contaminant or crud builds up in the bed.  Check the manufacturer’s specifications to confirm the backwash rate requirements.
  • As the bed gets dirtier it will require more backwash water.
  • If the drain is clogged or restricted the backwash rate won’t be sufficient.
  • Is there enough water volume to lift the bed?
  • Is the raw water intake pressure strong enough to backwash the filter?
  • Water temperature
    • Because water temperature varies manufacturers recommend a backwash range.  ⬇️ Backwash Volume Data Chart-3
      • Cold water is denser than warm water so backwash rates will be lower.
      • The warmer the water, the higher the backwash rate.
  • Check the raw water quality with a fast-running outdoor hose if possible.
    • Wells can pulse with crud. The water is clean for a couple minutes and then a slug of dirty water appears.  This may be caused by crud weakening and coming off the well casing or from different streams of water pouring into the well. This is tough to observe unless you use a clean white 5-gallon bucket.
  • Is the pH too high or too low?
    • Oxidation happens the best at 7 pH or higher.
    • Contaminants stay dissolved in lower pH water.
    • At higher pH they precipitate easily which benefits the oxidation reduction process.
  • Oxidation requires fuel – peroxide, chlorine, permanganate, oxygen.
    • A catalyst is required to enhance and perpetuate the oxidation/reduction cycle. As you oxidize and reduce, an oxygen molecule comes off the media. It is replaced during backwash with the catalyst rich water.
    • Is the chemical feed pump working correctly?
    • Is there chemical in the solution tank?
    • Is the air induction or ozone induction system clogged?
• Twin Tank Systems
  • Twin tank systems have a clean water backwash function. The system “borrows” clean water from one tank to backwash the other.  Using clean water to backwash will prolong the life of the media.
    • Alternating twins – one is on standby; one is in service; one cleans the other
    • Twin parallel – both tanks are on-line together. This is best for low yielding wells. One cleans the other. Rather than using one fat tank, use two skinny tanks!