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Iron in well water: when a softener can handle it and when you need an iron filter

A softener can remove some dissolved (clear-water, ferrous) iron along with hardness, but only within limits and only if the water has not been exposed to air or chlorine first. Oxidized (red-water) iron, iron bacteria, high iron and manganese call for an oxidizing filter (manganese greensand, Birm, aeration or chlorine then filtration) ahead of the softener. Test before you sell equipment.

Cross-checked ~30 min easyBrands: All

Before you start

Shock chlorination for iron bacteria uses strong chlorine; follow the state health department procedure, ventilate, and keep it out of the softener and water heater unless the procedure says otherwise.
Iron itself is a nuisance limit, not a health limit, but a well with iron problems should still get a bacteria and nitrate test before anyone calls it drinkable.

Diagnostic steps

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