Iron & Sulfur Removal

Why does my well water have iron and sulfur?

If you are on a private well in Parker, Wise, Denton, Hood, or Tarrant County, the water feeding your home comes from the Paluxy or Trinity aquifers — and both are loaded with naturally occurring dissolved iron and hydrogen sulfide gas. Iron levels of 1-5+ ppm are common, and even trace amounts of sulfur produce that unmistakable rotten-egg smell the moment you turn on a faucet.

What problems do iron and sulfur cause?

Left untreated, iron and sulfur wreak havoc on your home:

• Orange and rust staining on toilets, sinks, showers, and laundry
• Rotten-egg odor that permeates hot and cold water lines
• Clogged fixtures and appliances — iron deposits build up inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers
• Iron bacteria slime that coats well components and plumbing

These are not just cosmetic issues. Iron buildup shortens the lifespan of your water heater, pressure tank, and every appliance connected to your water supply.

Legacy Water Well installs air-injection oxidation systems that remove iron and sulfur without adding chemicals to your water. Here is how it works:

1. Air is injected into the water stream, oxidizing dissolved iron into a filterable particle and converting hydrogen sulfide gas so it can be captured.
2. The water passes through a catalytic filter bed that traps oxidized iron and sulfur.
3. The system automatically backwashes on a programmed schedule, flushing trapped contaminants to drain and refreshing the air pocket.

The result: clear, odor-free water from every tap — no chlorine, no potassium permanganate, no chemical tanks to refill. The system is self-cleaning and low-maintenance.

For wells with extremely high iron (5+ ppm) or iron bacteria, we may recommend a chlorine injection system with a contact tank and carbon post-filter. We match the solution to your water test results — never a guess.

Not every iron filter is created equal. An undersized unit will channel, fail to backwash properly, and leave you with the same orange water within months. We size every system based on:

• Iron concentration (measured in parts per million)
• Sulfur levels (measured by odor threshold and lab analysis)
• pH — air injection works best above 6.8 pH; low-pH wells may need pre-treatment
• Flow rate — your household peak demand determines the tank diameter and media volume
• Manganese — often present alongside iron and requires the same oxidation process

We pull all of these numbers from a comprehensive water test before we quote anything. That is how you avoid buying the wrong system.

Iron and sulfur removal systems are installed after your pressure tank and before any downstream filtration (softeners, UV, etc.). Most installations are completed in a single day.

Maintenance is minimal:

• The system backwashes automatically — no daily attention required
• Filter media typically lasts 5-8 years before needing replacement
• We recommend an annual water test to confirm iron and sulfur levels have not changed
• An annual inspection ensures the control valve, air injector, and drain line are functioning correctly

If you already have a whole-house filtration setup and want to add iron and sulfur removal, we can integrate it into your existing system. Learn about our whole-house filtration approach.

The rotten egg smell in well water is hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas — a natural byproduct of sulfur bacteria and certain geological formations. In North Texas, two situations produce it most often:

• Sulfur bacteria in the well: Bacteria that live in low-oxygen environments — like your well casing and pressure tank — consume sulfur compounds and produce H2S as a byproduct. Common in older wells and wells that haven't been shocked with chlorine recently. The smell is strongest first thing in the morning after water has sat in the pressure tank overnight.
• Paluxy and Woodbine aquifer geology: Some formations in Parker, Wise, and Hood County naturally have higher sulfur content in the rock. Wells drilled into these zones pull water that has dissolved sulfur regardless of bacteria. The smell is consistent throughout the day, not just in the morning.

Knowing which cause you have matters — the treatment is different. We test your water first to identify the source before recommending a system.

Sulfur smell is the obvious problem, but iron causes the visible damage:

• Reddish-brown stains on sinks, toilets, tubs, and laundry — iron oxidizes on contact with air and leaves rust-colored deposits. Once set, these stains are extremely difficult to remove.
• Clogged pipes and fixtures — iron builds up inside pipes over years, reducing flow and eventually causing blockages. Drip irrigation systems and sprinkler heads clog fastest.
• Shortened appliance life — water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines wear faster when iron deposits build up on heating elements and seals.
• Bad-tasting water — even low iron levels (above 0.3 mg/L) produce a metallic taste that makes drinking water and coffee unpleasant.
• Sulfur corrodes plumbing — H2S is mildly corrosive to copper and brass fittings over time, especially in hot water lines.

The EPA sets a secondary standard of 0.3 mg/L for iron and 0.05 mg/L for hydrogen sulfide in drinking water. Many North Texas wells exceed both. See our well water testing service to find out exactly what's in your water.

Treatment cost depends on your iron level, sulfur concentration, and whether bacteria are the source:

• Oxidizing filter (air injection or birm): $1,200–$2,800 installed. Best for moderate iron (under 5 mg/L) with no sulfur bacteria. Low maintenance, no chemicals.
• Greensand filter: $1,500–$3,200 installed. Handles higher iron levels and some manganese. Requires periodic potassium permanganate regeneration.
• Chlorination system + carbon filter: $1,800–$3,500 installed. Best when sulfur bacteria are confirmed. Chlorine kills bacteria and oxidizes sulfur; carbon removes the chlorine taste before the tap.
• Aeration + filtration: $2,500–$5,000 installed. Most effective for high H2S and high iron together. Air strips the sulfur gas out before filtration removes the iron solids.

We pair iron-sulfur removal with a whole house filtration system when sediment or hardness is also present — one system handles everything. Get a free water test and quote.

The EPA sets a secondary standard of 0.3 mg/L for iron in drinking water — above this level, staining and taste issues are typical. Most North Texas wells we test exceed this threshold without treatment.