The Best Iron Filters for Well Water (Six Whole House Water Filters Reviewed)

Seven years ago I didn’t even know what iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide were. Fast forward to today and I’ve researched and reviewed over fifty different water filter systems, including dozens of whole house water filters.

To choose the best iron filter for well water, you need to match the system to your water’s quality – paying particular attention to iron and manganese levels. Then look for a flow rate high enough for your needs, and a distributor offering a generous warranty and customer support.

The best whole house water filter for well water without chemicals is the SpringWell Well Water Iron Filter. It’s an extremely thorough filtration system for up to 7PPM of iron and also comes with a lifetime warranty and a 6-month money-back guarantee. For very high iron levels up to 30PPM, try the SoftPro Iron Master AIO Iron Filter.

Our top six whole house iron filters for well water

We’ve also written a buyer’s guide to help you sort through all the best iron filters for well water on the market. Jump to the section you need using the table of contents below.

Clean drinking water here we come! 

Six Best Iron Filters for Well Water Reviewed

Here are six reviews. Each of these five well water filtration systems is suitable for specific water quality, household size, or budget. 

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The Ultimate Guide to Deciding Which Iron Well Water Filters Are Right for your Well

Choosing an iron water filter for wells can be a daunting task. With so many iron filters on the market and different types of iron filtration, it’s hard to know what factors are important when choosing one. 

This section will walk you through the considerations that need to be made before purchasing an iron water filter for wells.

What kind of water quality do you have?

To choose the right kind of iron filter for your well, you need to know what kind of water quality you have. 

The iron water filters available on the market work differently depending on what kind of iron you’re dealing with. One type of iron filter, for instance, will not remove certain types of iron that another might take care of. Some can remove hydrogen sulfide and sediment. Others can’t.

There are three main kinds of iron found in water [2]. They are 

• ferrous iron (clear-water iron);
• ferric iron (dirty, red-water iron);
• and organic iron (can be clear, or yellowy-brown). 

Your choice of iron filtration method will depend on which of these are present in your water. How deep your well is will have an impact on this.

Iron water filters have different treatment capacities, so you need to know how much iron is in your well water before choosing a filter. 

Iron levels above 0.3 PPM are usually considered offensive in water [3]. It’s unusual to find water sources above 10 PM in water, but it can happen. Make sure to choose an iron filter that matches the iron levels in your water.

There could also be high levels of other substances in your water like chlorine, nitrate, or fluoride. Or you may need an acid neutralizer for your well water to reduce pH. If this is the case you may need to consider an additional stage of filtering, to work alongside your iron filter.

Most iron filters for well water will come with a sediment filter installed as a pre-filter, if not you should add your own.

Tannins can also be a problem, and require separate filtration solutions.

So if you’ve noticed discoloration or black sediment in well water, look into getting a water quality test carried out so you can be sure.

What type of whole house iron filter should you choose?

Once you know your water type, you can choose an iron filter based on your water quality test results.

For very high levels of ferrous iron, a manganese greensand filter is usually the best choice and can be effective for levels up to 10 to 15 ppm [4]. Water softeners and air injection oxidization can also remove ferrous iron, but only at lower levels.

For ferric iron, manganese greensand filters, and chemical oxidation can both be effective.

For organic iron, a chemical oxidant injection system with additional filtration may be needed.

If you have hard water, or additional contaminants many manufacturers sell combos (eg. a water filter and water softener combo that work together).

Pelican Iron & Manganese Removal Well Systems

Flow rates

The flow rate is how much water your iron filter will produce in one hour. Larger homes or families with more people may need a higher flow rate iron filter. 

Flow rate is usually measured in GPM (gallons per minute).

If you don’t have a large enough flow rate you’ll experience poor water pressure. And this will get worse the more water appliances that are in use at the same time.

Broadly speaking 7-8GPM is enough for a small house with one or two bathrooms. For three bathrooms you need around 10 – 12 GPM. For four or more bathrooms, consider a system capable of 15GPM.

Installation

Consider if your water filter will be installed inside or outside.

If you’re installing your iron water filter outside, you will need to consider casing to protect it from the elements.

Iron filters that have cartridges need to be changed regularly, so make sure there is nothing obstructing access. It’s a good idea to select a position near the main water shut-off valve.

If you’re not comfortable doing the installation yourself it’s worth hiring a plumber to do it for you. This will save time and protect your investment in your iron filter system.

Maintenance 

The great thing about most iron filters is that they don’t need any maintenance.

Greensand and air-oxidization iron filters can be set to have an automatic backwashing process, so you do not need to worry about maintaining the system.

Cartridge-based iron filters will need regular changing. And water softeners need regular salt top-ups.

Lifespan

The lifespan of iron filters will depend on the kind you have.

Greensand and air injection iron filters are long-term systems, with a system expectancy of somewhere between 15 to 20 years. Greensand media is expected to last from four to eight years, but it’s easy to replace [5].

These systems are usually installed outside though, so they need protection from harsh weather conditions such as rain or snow.

Cartridge iron water filters can last for up to five years if needed. Although most only last between 6 months and a year. They’ll often be much cheaper, but you should factor in the cost of replacing these iron filter cartridges around twice per year.

Chemical oxidization systems and water softeners usually last about ten to fifteen years, as long as regular maintenance is carried out

What is iron in water and why remove it?

Iron is a naturally occurring mineral in groundwater and well water. It’s not usually harmful to drink, but iron can cause staining and bad taste from tap water or well water that has high iron content.

The three main types of iron present in water are:

• ferric iron;
• ferrous iron;
• and organic iron.

When iron dissolves it forms ferrous iron (Fe+), which reacts with oxygen to form ferric iron (Fe++). Ferric iron cannot dissolve into the water so the next step of oxidation releases two hydroxyl ions per one Fe++, turning insoluble ferric iron back into soluble ferrous ions. This process creates hydrogen gas bubbles as part of what we call “rusting”. And these bubbles can give off an unpleasant odor when they release through drinking faucets or clothes washers [6].

Organic iron comes from the breakdown of organic matter in water, such as decaying leaves and animal waste. This iron is considered non-toxic but it does not dissolve well so it often forms black particles that can clog a filter cartridge or other parts.

If you have iron in your drinking water, it’s probably causing some kind of negative effect. So that’s why you’re considering an iron filter for your well water. 

Health effects of iron in water

What are the health effects of too much iron in drinking water?

Poor skin

For some people, iron causes skin issues. Iron can make skin dry, red, and flaky.

Some people find iron in water causes their scalp to itch or become irritated.

Iron may also be associated with causing acne breakouts for some people.

Iron overload (hemochromatosis)

Some people have a genetic disorder called hereditary hemochromatosis [7] that makes them unable to break down iron properly and this leads to health problems such as liver disease or diabetes. This condition is rare though.

If iron in water is affecting the way you feel, or if your child seems to be experiencing iron overload symptoms such as pale skin and dark circles under their eyes, it’s worth asking a doctor for iron tests.

Side effects of iron overload include hair loss, fatigue, and joint pain.

Iron bacteria may grow

Iron bacteria thrive in iron-rich environments like well water, and they can’t survive without iron. They’re not dangerous for humans though. This is because the amount of rust that these organisms produce is only enough to have a mild effect on iron levels in drinking water (it’s unlikely you’ll experience symptoms).

However, iron bacteria can help other types of bacteria grow. And of course, these can be dangerous for humans.

Bad-tasting, unappetizing water

Iron has a metallic taste that can be unpleasant. Iron also reacts with oxygen to form iron oxide, which is the substance in water that turns it brownish yellow and gives it an earthy smell. This iron oxide causes a bad odor through clothes washers or faucets too.

This isn’t a health problem as such. But it probably means you’ll want to drink less water. And we all know how important it is to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

Effects of Iron on Household Fixtures and Appliances

Staining can occur when iron oxidizes, causing iron particles to deposit on surfaces like sinks and toilets.

Iron can also clog water pipes and cause an unpleasant odor as it rusts the metal inside of those pipes. Iron clogging may reduce your water pressure.

In addition, iron can cause corrosion in water heaters and appliances like washing machines or dishwashers.

Frequently asked questions 

Say goodbye to stains and unpleasant drinking water 

Iron in well water clogs pipes, tastes bad, stains clothes and surfaces, and can even have some negative health effects for some people.

A whole-house iron filter can solve all of this. And also eliminates hydrogen sulfide, manganese, and sediment from your well water.

The best overall whole-house filter for removing high levels of iron in well water is the SpringWell Well Water Iron Filter. 

I hope this has helped you choose the best filter for your iron-contaminated well water. Enjoy!