BobInMn,
I know this problem well (pun! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ), as it was the same in the one house we sold.
Iron- dissolved. Turns to black scale sometimes. Regular clear inline filters with replaceable cartridges look black (like mildew) after a while...
Take the back lid off your toilet tank and look to see if it looks like orange algae. If so, you also have Iron Bacteria.
IMPORTANT: If you have iron bacteria, you MUST treat it, else any other filter will eventually be clogged by it.
Treating iron and iron bacteria is different.
Suggestions.
1. Get your water tested- all have agreed on this point. Learn some important numbers.
a. "Grains" of hardness (usually calcium- "hard water")
b. ppm (parts per million) of iron (Fe).
c. Presence of Nitrates (usually e. coli or similar). Comes from contaminated ground water
2. If NO IRON BACTERIA, a water softener can help some (Water Boss, etc). When setting the filtering level, use 1 grain for every grain of hardness per your water test, and 4 grains per 1 ppm Fe per your water test
3. The smell I think you are describing is common with Iron presence and is H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) "Rotten Egg smell" This is tough. Some percolation systems can handle this, so can Chlorine gas injection, but very tricky- Ask for help from a pro on this one.
4. Nitrates can usually be handled, placed after any other filters, by a UV (ultraviolet) system. Over buy in size, per your expected gal/min in your house. Has a lamp, circulates and sterilizes water.
Here is a link to many different GOOD PRICED filters. I've purchased from them before and been quite satisfied.
Ohio Pure Water Company
Things to be careful about.
1. Chlorox turns water orange
2. Don't drink the water
3. Your skin feels filmy and you may have a metal taste in your mouth when using it.
4. Black scale and orange stains in fixtures and plumbing
5. The H2S will pass through most filters. It remains dissolved
in the water while under pressure and comes out of solution when the pressure is removed (ie- when it comes out of a faucet, etc)
6. Don't cook with it- This brings out the chemicals and lots of bad stuff /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Things that help your plumbing system.
1. Iron Out. Check at Wal-Mart, Lowes, etc. Use in laundry.
2. In water softeners, use the green bag- Iron specific (can't remember the name)
3. The Works. Check at Wal-Mart, Lowes, etc. The blue bottle is good for toilet- get the water out of the tank, leave it in 10 mins, stains gone! Can put some in tank of toilet to help, too. Don't get it on fixtures or anything else- HCL acid. The green bottle is milder and can be used on showers, etc. Rinse both with lots of water when done.
4. White vinegar diluted in water removes iron stains on clothes. DO NOT DRY clothes with iron, as this will set the stain.
5. Bottled water (5 gals) delivered to your home on one of the dispensers- about $99 at Lowes or Home Depot. Culligan is best $$ I've found. About $5/bottle, as I remember. Leave out the empties on your delivery day, they replace them with full ones.
6. Shock your well. Use Chlorox once per month down your well's vent tube. Helps to run water inside house to make well run some- drains into well faster.
If you have a Culligan Water nearby, call them. They will test your water (still get your own, better test) and can install a tank they will swap out monthly at about $30/mo for the iron. Then you'll know what to expect...
Good luck, this is a real problem. I considered drilling a new well and casing it deeper to get to good water. No guarantee, but talk to your driller...
-JC
