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Can a Water Softener Remove Iron? (The Truth)

Can a Water Softener Remove Iron? (The Truth)

Quick Summary:

  • The 1.0 PPM Rule: A standard water softener can only safely handle very low iron levels (between 0.3 and 1.0 parts per million).
  • High iron destroys softeners: Forcing iron levels above 1.0 ppm through a water softener will quickly foul the resin bed and cause the system to fail completely.
  • Softeners are for hardness: The only true reason to use a water softener is to remove dissolved calcium and limestone.
  • Iron filters are for iron: If your iron is over 1.0 ppm, you must use a dedicated iron filter designed for that specific job (like a Katalox Light system).
  • Do you need both? If your well water tests high for both hardness and iron over 1.0 ppm, yes, you need both. The iron filter must safely remove the iron first so the water softener can do its job (see iron filter + softener packages).

Hello, my name is Aidan. After 32 years of experience in the water treatment industry, one of the most common questions I get from homeowners dealing with frustrating well water is: "Can a water softener remove iron, or do I need a separate iron filter?"

If you are dealing with reddish water coming out of your faucet, rust stains in your sinks, or even a disgusting buildup floating in your toilet tanks, you are probably confused about what equipment you actually need. You might have even had a local plumber tell you that a single water softener will easily solve all your problems.

Since you are spending your hard-earned money to protect your home, I want to give you the straightforward truth so you do not end up with a prematurely failed system.

Can a Water Softener Actually Remove Iron?

The short answer is yes—but only at very low levels.

A standard water softener can successfully remove iron levels ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 part per million (ppm). If your iron levels test above 1.0 ppm, we strongly recommend using an iron filter specifically designed for iron removal.

Look out for this:
A lot of plumbers and water treatment companies will try to solve your iron problem by selling you a water softener. Why do they do this? Because it is a much easier sale for them. It is easier to sell you that single unit than to take the time to go into detail about how and why you truly need an iron filter.

Here is the absolute rule: The only time and the only reason you should ever use a water softener is to remove hardness in the water—specifically dissolved calcium and limestone. Period.

Why Water Softeners Fail Against High Iron

Many homeowners call me to ask, "Why did my water softener stop working when I used it to take iron out of the water?"

If you attempt to use a water softener to remove higher levels of iron—like 5 or 10 parts per million—you are going to run into severe performance problems:

  • Resin Bed Fouling: The "resin" is the filtering material inside your softener tank. High iron levels physically reduce the life of this resin. Over time, the iron builds up and completely fouls the resin bed. The system's backwashing (its automatic cleaning cycle) will not clean the bed out properly. Eventually, the bed becomes completely useless. You can force it to backwash as much as you want, and it still will not work.
  • pH Imbalances: To successfully remove iron from the water, your water's pH has to be perfectly balanced close to 8.0. If your well water is acidic and you try to use a softener to remove iron, the system is going to work for about six months, and then it is going to completely quit.
  • Sizing Nightmares: In a water softening system, we measure usage and capacity in "grains of hardness" per gallon of water. If you try to run iron through it, you have to do some difficult math. You must compensate for every 1 part per million of iron as an additional 5 grains of hardness. If you have 5 parts per million of iron, you suddenly have to radically increase the size of your system. You are left guessing: Do I need a 48,000 grain system? A 64,000 grain system? An 80,000 grain system?

The 3 Types of Well Water Iron

Before you can choose the right equipment, you need to know what kind of iron is actually in your well. Typically, there are three different types of iron we see:

Type of Iron What It Is How We Treat It
Clear Water Iron This is the type of iron we deal with the most. The water looks clear at first but leaves rust stains over time. It is fairly simple to remove. We highly recommend using a dedicated Katalox Light system.
Red Water Iron Typically, the water comes out of your faucet carrying a noticeable reddish tinge right away. Like clear water iron, this can also be effectively removed with a Katalox Light system (see our iron removal filters).
Iron Bacteria You usually see this build up in your toilet tanks. It floats to the top, is extremely disgusting, and usually gives off an odor. We don't see this as often as clear water iron. This requires professional attention. It usually requires chlorine injection and other types of specialized filtration. If bacteria is part of your test results, consider adding UV disinfection as a final barrier.

The Final Verdict: Do You Need Both?

All in all, the best thing to do is this: Do not use a water softener to remove iron. Use an iron filter specifically designed for iron removal.

If your water test shows that you have hard water (calcium and limestone) and your iron levels are higher than 1.0 part per million, then yes—you need both systems. You need the iron filter to safely pull the iron out of the water first, and the water softener to handle the hardness (see iron filter + softener packages).

Let's Get Your Water Fixed

I know figuring out water treatment can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to guess. If you need to get in touch with us to review your water situation, or if you want to look at some of the equipment we recommend, we are ready to guide you.

I look forward to helping you get clean, reliable water for your home.

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