Buildup from iron and manganese
Health problems associated with iron and manganese are not significant. But, issues with these contaminants can become an extreme hassle.
Iron and manganese are metallic elements found in rock. They are commonly found in groundwater and less common in surface water.
The secondary drinking water standards, or maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), for iron have been set at 0.3 ppm and manganese at 0.05 ppm, but the EPA has yet to set any limit to enforce.
Health problems associated with iron and manganese are not significant. But, issues with these contaminants can become an extreme hassle. Most problems occur in pipelines, meaning repairs are going to take time and money.
Iron and manganese are capable of plugging or fouling pipelines, pressure tanks, water heaters as well as softeners. This can cut down the consumer’s water supply or softening equipment.
“Most water treatment professionals would agree that softening using ion exchange for iron and manganese removal can be efficacious (if the elements are in the dissolved state),” said Greg Gilles, vice president and principal of AdEdge Technologies Inc. “Other factors, such as water hardness, salt demand and eventual fouling of the cation resins, over time [should] be considered in the selection. This method is commonly used for residential treatment when hardness reduction is also a goal.”
Water softeners can be a good way to reduce iron and manganese, but there are other methods that may be suitable for your situation. You have to explore those options to find out which is the best.