Prefilter System
A whole-home prefilter stage captures dissolved iron and manganese — along with sediment — before it ever reaches your fixtures, pipes or appliances, preventing the staining and buildup these minerals cause over time.
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Iron & Manganese: Rust-Colored Water and Staining
Reddish-brown or rust-colored water, and stains on sinks, tubs and laundry, are the classic signs of dissolved iron and manganese — naturally occurring metals that are common in groundwater throughout our area.
What It Is
Where It Comes From
Iron and manganese occur naturally in rock and soil, and groundwater dissolves small amounts of both as it passes through. They're not usually a health concern at typical household levels, which is why the EPA classifies them under its Secondary Drinking Water Standards — non-enforceable guidelines based on taste, odor and appearance rather than health risk — set at 0.3 mg/L for iron and 0.05 mg/L for manganese. The moment dissolved iron contacts air, it oxidizes into the reddish-brown particles that stain everything they touch.
Watch For This
Signs to Look For
- Reddish-brown or orange-tinted water, especially after the water sits unused
- Rust-colored stains in sinks, tubs, toilets or on laundry
- A metallic taste
- Dark gray or black staining, more often a sign of manganese specifically
How We Fix It
Prefilter System
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FAQ
Iron & Manganese: Common Questions
At the levels typically found in household wells, iron and manganese are considered aesthetic issues rather than a health hazard, which is why the EPA regulates both under its non-enforceable Secondary Standards rather than an enforceable health-based limit.
Dissolved iron is often invisible in the glass but oxidizes, turns solid and reddish-brown, the moment it contacts air, which is why staining shows up on fixtures rather than in the water itself.
A standard softener can handle very low levels, but heavier iron and manganese will foul the softener's resin over time. A dedicated prefilter stage ahead of the softener is the more reliable fix.