Iron / Sulfur Breaker

How it works

Iron & Sulfur Breaker systems usually use a special media bed and an air injection or oxidation process to filter out contaminants.

Common Process (Air Injection/Oxidation):

Air Pocket Created at the top of the tank (either through an air pump or natural air draw).
As water flows through the air, iron and sulfur oxidize (turn into solid particles).
The water then passes through a media bed (such as Birm, Filox, or Catalytic Carbon), which traps the oxidized particles.
The system backwashes periodically, flushing the filtered iron/sulfur particles out of the tanks and resetting the air pocket.

benefits of a iron / sulfur breaker

Eliminates Rotten Egg Odor

Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) causes that strong "rotten egg" smell in water.
These systems oxidize and filter out sulfur, completely removing the odor.

Stops Rust and Orange Stains

Iron in water causes reddish-orange stains on:
Toilets, tuns, sinks
Laundry and white clothes
Dishes and cutlery
The system removes iron before it enters your home, keeping surfaces clean.

Improves Taste and Appearance of Water

Iron and Sulfur make water taste metallic or foul.
After filtration, water tastes and smells clean, making it more pleasant to drink and cook with.

Protects Plumbing and Appliances

Iron and Sulfur can build up in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines.
This reduces water flow, shortens appliance life, and increases maintenance.
Filtration prevents clogging, corrosion, and costly repairs.

Saves Money Over Times

Prevents damage to fixtures, appliances, laundry.
Reduces need for chemical cleaners or frequent replacements due to staining or odor.

Chemical-Free Operation (for Air Injection Systems)

Many iron/sulfur systems use air injection oxidation, meaning:
No chemicals like chlorine or potassium permanganate needed.
Safer, lower-maintenance, and eco-friendly.

Automatic & Low Maintenance

Most systems are fully automatic:
Backwash cycles clean the media and reset the air pocket.
Maintenance usually involves checking the system and replacing the meida every few years.

Environmentally Friendly

Reduces reliance on bottled water due to poor taste or odor.
Chemical-Free systems mean no harmful byproducts or additives going into groundwater.

important notes

Test Your Water First:

It's important to know your iron, sulfur, and manganese levels, as well as pH, hardness, and water flow rate. Some systems work better under certain conditions.

Not a Softener:

These systems don't remove hardness (calcium or magnesium). If you have hard water, you may still need a water softener.

Pre-treatment May Be Required:

If water has very low pH (acidic), iron filtration may not work properly without a pH neutralizer.

Backwashing Needs Drainage:

The system needs a drain for periodic flushing (backwash cycle).

Maintenance:

Air injection systems are generally low-maintenance but may require occasional checks on air draw or cleaning of the media.

System Sizing Matters:

Undersized systems won't effectively remove contaminants or may clog quickly.