Iron Filter Installation — Huntingtown, MD
A Huntingtown homeowner had orange water staining every fixture, toilet, and appliance in the house. We tested the water at 11 ppm iron, installed a Fleck 2510 SXT iron filter, and eliminated the staining within two weeks.
The Problem
A homeowner in Huntingtown called us after years of dealing with orange staining on every fixture in the house — toilets, sinks, tubs, and the washing machine drum. Their white laundry came out with an orange tint. The dishwasher had orange deposits on the interior. The water heater had been replaced once already, and the plumber who replaced it told them the iron in the water had destroyed the anode rod and accelerated corrosion of the tank. The homeowner had tried iron-removing water softener salt and a magnetic filter, neither of which had made any noticeable difference.
Our Diagnosis
We tested the water at the tap and at the pressure tank. Iron at the pressure tank tested 11.2 ppm — well above the 0.3 ppm EPA secondary standard and in the range where staining is severe and appliance damage is significant. We also found iron bacteria present (the characteristic orange slime in the toilet tank confirmed this). The combination of dissolved iron and iron bacteria required a two-stage approach: an air injection iron filter to oxidize and filter the dissolved iron, plus shock chlorination to address the iron bacteria. A standard water softener cannot handle iron at this level — it would foul the resin within months.
The Repair Process
- 1Tested water: iron 11.2 ppm, iron bacteria present (confirmed by toilet tank inspection), pH 6.8, hardness 16 GPG
- 2Shock chlorinated the well to eliminate iron bacteria before filter installation
- 3Installed Fleck 2510 SXT air injection iron filter with 1.5 cu ft Birm media
- 4Configured air injection cycle: draws air into the tank before each backwash to oxidize dissolved iron
- 5Set backwash cycle: every 3 days, 2:00 AM — backwashes oxidized iron out of the media
- 6Installed sediment pre-filter (25 micron) upstream of iron filter to protect media from turbidity
- 7Tested iron at tap after installation: 0.08 ppm — below EPA secondary standard
- 8Followed up at 2 weeks: staining had stopped, toilet tank clear of orange slime
The Outcome
Iron at the tap tested 0.08 ppm after installation — a 99% reduction from 11.2 ppm. The orange staining stopped immediately. Within two weeks, the toilet tank was clear of the orange slime that had been present for years. The homeowner's laundry is now coming out white. The dishwasher interior is cleaning up with normal use. The water heater is now protected from iron-accelerated corrosion. The homeowner described the difference as "like having city water."
Key Takeaway
Iron above 3 ppm requires a dedicated iron filter — a water softener alone cannot handle high iron levels and will foul the resin. An air injection iron filter with Birm media is the correct solution for dissolved iron in the 3–15 ppm range common in Calvert County well water.
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May 2026
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June 2026
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Dunkirk, MD
June 2026
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