Whole-House Iron Filters in Maryland
Orange stains, metallic-tasting water, and clogged fixtures come from iron in your well. Lifewell installs air-injection (AIO) iron filters with Katalox, Birm, and ozone options for homes across the Eastern Shore and Anne Arundel County, sized from your water test.
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The Iron Filters We Install
All three use air-injection oxidation (AIO). The difference is the filter media and how much oxidizing power your water needs.
Moderate iron
AIO with Birm
A chemical-free media that works well on moderate iron when your pH and oxygen levels are right.
- Good value for iron-only wells
- Needs a neutral or higher pH
- Not for heavy manganese or sulfur
Our most common install
AIO with Katalox
A catalytic media with a high manganese dioxide content. Removes iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide across a wide pH range and traps very fine particles.
- Iron, manganese, and sulfur in one tank
- Handles a wider range of well water
- Long media life, often 7 to 10 years
Heavy iron & sulfur
Ozone-Enhanced AIO
Adds an ozone generator for much stronger oxidation. For wells with high iron, high manganese, iron bacteria, or stubborn sulfur smell.
- Strongest oxidation we install
- No chlorine or permanganate to refill
- Best for the toughest well water
Which Iron Filter Fits Your Water?
| Your water | Birm | Katalox | Ozone AIO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate iron | Good fit | Good fit | More than needed |
| Iron + manganese | Limited | Good fit | Good fit |
| Iron + sulfur smell | No | Good fit | Good fit |
| High iron or iron bacteria | No | Sometimes | Good fit |
| Low pH | No, correct pH first | Wider range | Wider range |
Your water test decides the system. Acidic water may need an acid neutralizer first.
How an AIO Iron Filter Works
- Oxidize. Water passes through a pocket of air at the top of the tank. Oxygen turns dissolved iron, manganese, and sulfur into tiny solid particles.
- Filter. The media bed traps those particles. Katalox also speeds up the reaction.
- Backwash. On a set schedule, the system rinses the trapped iron to drain and draws in fresh air to rebuild the air pocket.
No salt, no chemicals to refill, and nothing added to your water.
Signs you need an iron filter
- Orange or red stains in toilets, tubs, and sinks
- Black or brown stains, a sign of manganese
- Metallic taste in water, coffee, or tea
- Orange-tinted laundry
- Slimy orange buildup in the toilet tank, a sign of iron bacteria
- A softener that keeps fouling or losing capacity
More on the causes in our guide to iron in Eastern Shore well water.
Iron Filter or Water Softener?
A softener can remove a small amount of dissolved iron, but iron coats softener resin over time and moderate to high levels overwhelm it. An iron filter installed ahead of the softener protects it and lets each system do its job.
Many Eastern Shore wells have iron and hardness together. We'll size both from your test.
| Level | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Iron | Staining starts around 0.3 ppm, the EPA's secondary standard |
| Manganese | Black staining starts around 0.05 ppm, the EPA's secondary standard |
| Sulfur | Rotten-egg smell can be noticeable at very low levels |
Our Iron Filter Installation Process
- Free in-home test. We measure iron, manganese, pH, hardness, and sulfur at your kitchen sink.
- System design and quote. We choose the media and size the tank to your water and flow, with a written quote from our printed price book.
- Installation. Our master plumber–led team installs the filter, bypass, and drain line, usually in a single day.
- Startup. We set the backwash schedule, clear the iron from your lines, and test the treated water.
- Ongoing service. Maintenance plans, media changes, and service for iron filters we didn't install.
Part of a Complete Well System
Iron is usually the first stage in a well water system, because it fouls everything after it. Depending on your test, we pair it with:
- A water softener for hardness
- An arsenic filter, which needs iron removed first
- UV disinfection, which needs iron under 0.3 ppm
- Reverse osmosis for drinking water
Iron filter maintenance
- Backwash: automatic. Just keep the system plugged in.
- Media: Katalox often lasts 7 to 10 years. Birm and other media vary with your water.
- Annual check: we confirm the air pocket, backwash, and iron levels.
Our maintenance plans cover yearly checks, and we're a call away if stains come back.
Iron Filter Installation Near You
We install iron filters across Queen Anne's, Talbot, Kent, Caroline, Dorchester, and Anne Arundel Counties. See what's in the water where you live:
Queenstown · Stevensville & Kent Island · Centreville · Easton · St. Michaels · Chestertown · Denton · Cambridge · Annapolis · Severna Park · Edgewater
Iron Filter FAQs
What is the best whole-house iron filter for well water?
It depends on your water. For most Eastern Shore wells we install an air-injection filter with Katalox media, which handles iron, manganese, and sulfur together. Birm works for moderate iron at the right pH, and ozone-enhanced AIO handles the heaviest iron and iron bacteria.
Can a water softener remove iron by itself?
Only small amounts. Moderate to high iron coats softener resin and overwhelms it. An iron filter ahead of the softener protects it.
How does an air-injection iron filter work?
Water passes through an air pocket that oxidizes dissolved iron into solid particles. The media traps them, and an automatic backwash rinses them to drain and refreshes the air pocket.
What's the difference between iron and manganese?
Iron causes orange and red stains. Manganese causes black and brown stains. They often show up together in local wells, and Katalox or ozone AIO removes both.
Will an iron filter remove sulfur smell too?
Katalox and ozone-enhanced AIO filters reduce hydrogen sulfide along with iron. Birm doesn't. For heavy sulfur, we may recommend a dedicated sulfur system.
What is iron bacteria?
Harmless but nuisance bacteria that feed on iron and leave slimy orange or brown buildup in toilet tanks. It often needs stronger oxidation, like ozone-enhanced AIO, and sometimes a well shock.
Does an iron filter use salt or chemicals?
No. AIO filters use air, and ozone models generate ozone on site. There's no salt, chlorine, or permanganate to refill.
How long does iron filter media last?
Katalox often lasts 7 to 10 years. Media life depends on your iron level, water use, and backwash settings.
Do you service iron filters you didn't install?
Yes. We troubleshoot, rebed, and service iron filters from other brands and installers.
Last updated October 2026
Stop the Orange Stains
Book a free in-home water test. We'll measure your iron, manganese, and pH, recommend the right filter, and give you an upfront quote.