Ozone to remove Iron and Manganese from well water

Ozone use for well water treatment

Ozone can be very effective at treating well water for residential, commercial, or agricultural applications. Ozone is also commonly used for municipal water treatment, click here for information on ozone used for municipal water treatment.

Ozone implementation can be very simple, reliable and efficient. Ozone equipment is a one time cost with no salt, or other chemicals to buy. Only minor long term maintenance and electrical costs are incurred. Long term, ozone can be a more cost effective solution, while minimizing lugging of salt bags and chemicals!

When considering ozone for well water treatment keep in mind total water consumption in a day, but also peak water demand. Remember, ozone cannot be stored and must be produced as it is used. Therefore, the ozone generator must be sized based on peak water demand, not average water flow.

Also consider when sizing an ozone system for one application, like iron removal from water, that TOC in the water, while potentially not a primary concern, will need to be considered, as this TOC will also consume ozone and create ozone demand. Be ready to provide complete water quality data when trying to determine the size of ozone system for water treatment.

Every water is different. Also, each contaminate will require different ozone demand, and may require excess contact time, or filtration to remote contaminate. Below we outline considerations when trying to determine the right ozone system for your application. This is by no means a comprehensive list, for specific recommendations for your water, contact our ozone experts today!

Why use ozone for water treatment

Iron removal and filtration:

Iron in water is typically found in the dissolved (Fe+2) state. In this state, iron will pass right through normal filtration but will stain appliances and fixtures over time.

Ozone is used to oxidize iron from Fe+2 to Fe+3. Iron will now bind to filter media, or anything else it touches. Using back-washable filters after the ozone contact tank will capture the now oxidized iron and remove it safely from the water.

To oxidize iron from water 0.43 ppm ozone is required for each 1 ppm of iron in the water. Therefore, multiply your iron level in water by 0.43 to establish the baseline ozone dosage rate for iron oxidation, and removal from water.

The real advantage of ozone use in iron removal from water is the complete elimination of iron bacteria. The reality is that any well water with iron, likely also carries iron bacteria. While this bacteria is not pathogenic in nature it will cause bio-film and other issues on filter beds, piping, and anywhere it can grow. When using ozone, these problems are completely eliminated.

Ozone Injection and filtration system
Example of a complete ozone system to oxidize and filter iron and/or manganese from well water, click on image for a larger view.

 

Manganese removal and filtration:

Manganese in water is commonly accompanied by high levels of iron in water. Thankfully, iron and manganese both oxidize and filter from water similarly and allow for the use of the same basic system.

Manganese is found in water in the elemental Mn form. In this dissolved form manganese will flow through most filters, yet cause staining on all appliances and fixtures over time. Manganese is easily oxidized by ozone to MnO2. MnO2 can be filtered from water, as it will bind to the filter media when in the MnO2 form. Using back-washable filters after the ozone contact tank will capture the now oxidized manganese and remove it safely from the water.

To oxidize manganese from water 0.88 ppm ozone is required for each 1 ppm of manganese in the water. Therefore, multiply your manganese level in water by 0.88 to establish the baseline ozone dosage rate for manganese oxidation, and removal from water.

An important note about manganese oxidation is that if done improperly, a further oxidization state of manganese can be formed. Soluble permanganate MnO4- can be formed with excess ozone, or excess ozone contact time. It is best to use a properly designed and sized system to prevent these MnO4- from forming in your water.

CWS Ozone Filtration System
Ozone system for iron and manganese removal

2 thoughts on “Ozone to remove Iron and Manganese from well water”

  1. What is the price of the Ozone machine? I got a lot of iron in the water It blocks my iirigationsistem The water flow in the sistem is about 60kub per hour

    1. Prices range from $750 – $5,000 on average depending upon water contamination and water flows.
      If you can forward your water quality test we can certainly quote a proper ozone and filtration system for this water.

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