Bore Water, Iron, Tank Cleaning with Chlorine?

[carlyai]

I have known for a while that my bore water has a 30% higher iron content, and it is starting to leave rust stains around the areas that use water.

I am going to install a filter system to hopefully filter the bore water, so no more iron water staining problems.

The 3000 L tank that holds the bore water is stained with the iron rust, and also the float valves and cabling.

What I was thinking of doing was diverting the bore water straight to the house for a while, then filling the tank with water and throwing in a heap of chlorine.

Hopefully the chlorine will clean the tank, and I can install the filter and connect up the bore pump etc again.

Can chlorine clear up rust stains in tanks?

What amount of chlorine per litre of water should I use?

How long should I leave the chlorine in the tank?

[carlyai]

Mostly Iron in water in water is solved in the water as a salt, a salt is a combination from a metal and a halogen (table salt NaCl, Natrium, Chlorine)

Mechanical filtering with not help to remove the iron. Mostly the water is chemical treated, so the salt gets solid, and then you are able to filter it mechanical out of your water.

I am in big doubt if chlorine will remove the stains from your tank. If your holding tank is from SS, do not clean it with chlorine! Just do a simple test on small surface if chlorine will remove the iron stains.

Good luck!

Arjen.

Thanks Arjen.

Yes the tank is SS.

On your advice I won't be putting in Cl.

I tested the water and the only think, to me, that seemed out of spec. was the iron @ 1.01 ppm.

I know there is a large aquifer with a high salt content in the NE Thailand region, but I think I am not drawing water from this aquifer.

The filter system I was thinking of using is two large poly glass tanks, one with antracite and magnesium, one with carbon, and a big blue 20 to 5 microns for sediment. Something like this.

Do you think this will work for the iron?

[carlyai]

Thanks again.

So if i dont clean the tank with Cl, what are other options?

1. Dont clean the tank. Pump from the bore to the tank (where the water is airated), then filter from the tank output to the house pump.

2. Buy a new tank (can use the stained tank on the other bore). And filter from the bore pump to the tank.

3. Find some other way to clean the tank. Safe way that is as we want to drink the water (eventually after another drinking water filter).

[RichCor]

Can you open the tank and get physical access. Some of it may just clean up (mostly) with physical cleaning with a cloth, sponge, mop head, etc. Then rinse thoroughly. With Stainless Steel you want to be careful using chemicals that will react with Nickel, or Iron.

Just to bring everyone up to speed, I think most of the Iron conversation happened in this previous carlyai topic thread:

Water Testing and Filters Advice

Started by carlyai, 2015-11-13 09:23

Not to say that conversation can't continue.

Still think the idea of adding using a chemical-injection pump to mix Hydrogen Peroxide in a solution tank with in-line static mixer, and a backwash-able filter wasn't a bad idea.

[carlyai]

Thanks Rich.

I spose hydrogen peroxide is in the same ' be carfull class' as clorine, but i just balk at the thought of mixing chemicals to treat the water when l'm not there.

Can just see the line of old girls stretching out through the dust waiting to get their hair done.

Think i will stick with trying the filter system that filters the airrated iron particles.

I'll try what you suggest Ric and clean inside the tank. I know it does come off the float switches so bit of elbow grease needed, or, a lovely wife with the promise of Chrissy presents.

[RichCor]

The reason I suggested Hydrogen Peroxide take iron out of solution and convert into a trappable particle:

According to Wikipedia: Hydrogen Peroxide

...is thermodynamically unstable and decomposes to form water and oxygen.

...exhibits oxidizing and reducing properties, depending on pH. In acidic solutions, H₂O₂ is one of the most powerful oxidizers known—stronger than chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and potassium permanganate.

Which System Do I Need to Remove Iron?

uswatersystems.com | Ask The Water Doctor by Mark Timmons | JUNE 14, 2012

Iron and Manganese in Private Water Systems

PennStateUniversity

Prepared by Bryan R. Swistock, Extension Associate, William E. Sharpe, Professor of Forest Hydrology, and Paul D. Robillard, Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering

[carlyai]

Wow thanks Rich.

Great article.

I'll have to read it a few more times.

[carlyai]

Thanks for all the replies, and for your great research work Rich.

Because I'm away for a few months shortly, I won't attempt to clean the tank until I get back.

Today I'm installing my filter system and will see what happened when I test the water.

[RichCor]

Let us know how it goes.