Removing iron from borehole water

[adauchat]

I have a borehole and use for it for the garden.I had it tested and the iron contain was low but when using it in the swimming pool I notice iron stains ever now and again.Chlorine drops iron out of the water so best to pump into a tank , add chlorine and then take off the water to the pool.[/I]

Hi GCE, if you need help let me know, we do Custom Water Treatment.
I actually work for the company BarryVP mentioned, what a small world
Visit our website and send us your analysis.

BR
Antoine

[JustineESmith]

Hi there AnyaSDS
Can you tell me more about BettaBore? We have Fe in our wellpoint water and would like to investigate whether it is cost effective to remove the iron for use in the pool and possibly the toilet. Thanks

[adauchat]

Hi Justine,
The best would be to have a water analysis, this will give you the characterization of your water and enable a company (like us ) to suggest you with the best way forward (sometimes to make it potable is just a small step further).
Feel free to visit our website www.equilibrium-water.co.za we have diy solution free for you to download aswell.
BR
Antoine

[Blaise Osborne]

Removal of Iron from Well Water

I live on a residential fram Estate near Somerset West and had my borehole water tested recently. I note that the pH of my water is 5.7 but my major concern is the high iron content: 1.71 mg/l

Currently I am only using my borehole water for irrigation, but would like to have it backfed into my house for domestic use. I am concerned about the high iron content that it may stain pipes, bathrooms etc. and believe that there are automatic systems available for the removal of the iron to make it suitable for domestic use.

Believe me, I'm no technical wizz and a couple of guys suggested that I install a manganese dioxide filter and what not (all sounds space aged to me), but the quoted prices for these systems run around R30000+ for these installations. Surely there should be cheaper alternatives or am I missing the boat on this one? If anyone has knowledge of this or could direct me to someone that might assist, I would be grateful.

Hi Eugene.

There are a few methods that you could use to remove the iron from your well water, they are as follows.

1) GAC KDF Filters

2) Chlorine Method

3) Aeration Pumps

4) Sand Filters

They all require different processes

Iron is an RO Systems worst nightmare, it destroys the membranes so I'd advise you to remove the iron before passing the water through an RO system.

Mail me your water test results and I'll advise accordingly.

[theoventer]

diy water purification western cape

Dear Eugene

I have been reading up on ground water purification for the past two years. I wanted a system which was cheap and effective. I wanted to put my red iron filled well point water through a system where I can use it in my house and also drink it.

I did the following.

I got two thousand litre flow bins and one two and a half thousand storage tank. On the first flow bin I installed a normal swimming pool sand filter. I then pump my well point water (very red to a point where it stain the walls) into the flow bin and filter it through the swimming pool sand filter. I add half a cup Chlorine to the water and pump it for about four hours. The chlorine oxidises with the iron and the iron is then catched in the sand filter which I backwash out. After four hours the red water becomes sparkling clean like a normal swimming pool.

When the water is sparkling clean I pump it over to the next flow bin. The only problem then is that the Chlorine and chloramine is very high. I then add Potassium Metabisulfite to the water which takes out both chlorine and chloramine from the water. This chemical works immediately with immediate effect. The potassium
metabisulphite reduces the PH to about 5.7. I then add soda ash which takes my PH to about 7.1. This water is now iron free with no bacteria. Colourless, odourless, germ free drinking water.

Metabisulfite is what the use in wine, cooldrinks and lots of foodstuffs. Metabisulfite is also an anti oxidant and a preservative. I have been using my system for quite some time with great success. I produce about 4000 lt of clean drinking water which I then pump into my storage tank for home use.

Cost involve in this mini water purifying system is very minimal.

You can definitely contact me for more information. I am not a salesman wanting to sell you filter systems that does not work.



Regards

Theo

I live on a residential fram Estate near Somerset West and had my borehole water tested recently. I note that the pH of my water is 5.7 but my major concern is the high iron content: 1.71 mg/l

Currently I am only using my borehole water for irrigation, but would like to have it backfed into my house for domestic use. I am concerned about the high iron content that it may stain pipes, bathrooms etc. and believe that there are automatic systems available for the removal of the iron to make it suitable for domestic use.

Believe me, I'm no technical wizz and a couple of guys suggested that I install a manganese dioxide filter and what not (all sounds space aged to me), but the quoted prices for these systems run around R30000+ for these installations. Surely there should be cheaper alternatives or am I missing the boat on this one? If anyone has knowledge of this or could direct me to someone that might assist, I would be grateful.

[Lucian]

Hi Theo

I would love to see your water filtration system, would it be possible to see it?

Regards
Lucian Agulhas

[rh1]

Hello Theo

Could you post pictures of your setup. I am interested in going a similar route. I basically have everything except the pool sand filter.

Dear Eugene

I have been reading up on ground water purification for the past two years. I wanted a system which was cheap and effective. I wanted to put my red iron filled well point water through a system where I can use it in my house and also drink it.

I did the following.

I got two thousand litre flow bins and one two and a half thousand storage tank. On the first flow bin I installed a normal swimming pool sand filter. I then pump my well point water (very red to a point where it stain the walls) into the flow bin and filter it through the swimming pool sand filter. I add half a cup Chlorine to the water and pump it for about four hours. The chlorine oxidises with the iron and the iron is then catched in the sand filter which I backwash out. After four hours the red water becomes sparkling clean like a normal swimming pool.

When the water is sparkling clean I pump it over to the next flow bin. The only problem then is that the Chlorine and chloramine is very high. I then add Potassium Metabisulfite to the water which takes out both chlorine and chloramine from the water. This chemical works immediately with immediate effect. The potassium
metabisulphite reduces the PH to about 5.7. I then add soda ash which takes my PH to about 7.1. This water is now iron free with no bacteria. Colourless, odourless, germ free drinking water.

Metabisulfite is what the use in wine, cooldrinks and lots of foodstuffs. Metabisulfite is also an anti oxidant and a preservative. I have been using my system for quite some time with great success. I produce about 4000 lt of clean drinking water which I then pump into my storage tank for home use.

Cost involve in this mini water purifying system is very minimal.

You can definitely contact me for more information. I am not a salesman wanting to sell you filter systems that does not work.



Regards

Theo

[Jughead]

@theoventer

Your system sounds great.

Do you mind posting some photos of your setup and process (products used as well Chlorine/Potassium Metabisulfite / soda ash) please ?

Thank You (Not sure how to "like" your post )

[rh1]

Based on Theo post, I googled and found a Youtube video by another Capetonian explaining his setup. His name is Andries Lombard and his video (How to remove iron from ground water (cheap and easy), he also answered questions. The link is:

[theoventer]

E-mail me and I will send you photos and all info for free. The difference between my system and that of Andries Lombard is that my water is drinkable. He is the first guy that is on the right track.

Regards

theo

[theoventer]

Hi all you guys.

Here are some photos of my water, before and after and I will try and answer all your questions as I go along. Best to E-mail me at theoventer@Hotmail.com.

As you can see on the photos there are no expensive bought filters that does not work. My little pool is cristal clear and my wellpoint water in the yellow bucket is drinkable.

Any other questions will be answered by E-mail

theoventer@Hotmail.com

Regards

Theo

[theoventer]

Jughead

I only use three chemicals

Mineralsoft Granular HTH chlorine ( you buy this in any convenient store)

Potassium Metabisulfite ( Protea Chemicals)

Soda Ash ( you buy this in any convenient store)


Regards

Theo

[Jughead]

Thank You Theo. I have sent you a PM with my email address. Greatly Appreciated.
Thank You for providing us some valuable information

[Jughead]

Yeah, I watched his video a few weeks ago. Impressed by it. So was heading in that direction until I came across your post.

What caught my eye was the "Drinking Water" end result.

If the Borehole/Wellpoint water can be "Drinkable" (Potable) , then you can have more use for it .

Thank You and Thank You to all for contributing to this discussion. Lots of great information.

Thank You

[Jughead]

Thank You Theo ... received the email as well