Iron, Manganese & Sulfur Filtration
Orange stains or rotten-egg smell? Well iron filters cost $900–$4,000 installed. Compare birm, greensand and air-injection systems and get local quotes.
- Softeners $1,200–$3,800 installed (HomeGuide)
- Iron filtration $1,000–$3,500 installed (HomeGuide)
- Free quotes from licensed local contractors
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Typical national cost$1,200 – $3,600Cost guide →About Iron, Manganese & Sulfur Filtration
EPA's secondary (cosmetic and aesthetic) standard for iron is 0.3 mg/L and for manganese 0.05 mg/L. Above those levels you get orange or black stains, metallic taste and clogged fixtures. In Johnston County, NC, about a third of private wells tested by the state lab from 1998–2010 were above the iron standard. Rotten-egg odor usually means hydrogen sulfide, which a pro will want to tell apart from sulfur bacteria; Johnston County tests for those separately ($45).
Iron filters work by oxidizing dissolved iron so it can be filtered out. Birm needs pH above 6.8 and suits iron under about 3 ppm. Greensand and air-injection units handle more; HomeGuide lists air injection up to 10+ ppm. Chemical feed systems handle the heaviest loads.
Common Jobs We Route
- Birm filter ($400–$1,200 equipment)
- Greensand ($600–$1,800)
- Air-injection oxidizing filter ($800–$2,500)
- Chemical feed (chlorine/peroxide) system ($500–$2,000)
- Hydrogen sulfide treatment ($800–$3,500 installed)
- Manganese treatment ($1,000–$3,000)
- Tannin treatment ($1,000–$3,000)
What Affects the Price
Providers quote their own work — these are the factors that consistently move the number.
- Iron/manganese/H2S level and pH (low pH may need a neutralizer, $800–$2,500)
- Flow rating
- Backwash drain line ($100–$300)
- Media replacement ($200–$600)
- Chemical feed supplies ($10–$30/mo)
Iron, Manganese & Sulfur Filtration FAQs
Do I need an iron filter or will a softener do?
Under about 1–2 ppm of dissolved (clear-water) iron, a softener often copes (HomeGuide). Above that, or with red/oxidized iron, which fouls resin (Penn State), plan a dedicated iron filter ahead of the softener.
What causes the rotten-egg smell?
Usually hydrogen sulfide gas. Sulfur-reducing bacteria can also cause it. A sulfur-bacteria test separates the two (Johnston NC $45).
Is iron in well water a health problem?
EPA treats iron and manganese at these levels under its secondary, non-enforceable standards for cosmetic and aesthetic effects. Ask your health department about your specific results.
Iron, Manganese & Sulfur Filtration by Area
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