Reliable Iron and Manganese Removal for Municipal and Industrial Water

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Our WaterPlus pre-engineered filtration systems, paired with OxiPlus⁷⁵ and OxiPlus¹² catalytic media, are designed to remove iron, manganese, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide, and radium from groundwater at high loading rates, with a smaller footprint and lower installed cost than conventional treatment approaches.

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The Challenge of Iron and Manganese in Groundwater

Iron and manganese are among the most common groundwater contaminants municipalities and industrial operators face. Left untreated, they cause reddish-brown or black staining, metallic taste and odor, and scale buildup that can damage plumbing, fixtures, and downstream equipment. Many well sources also carry arsenic, radium, or hydrogen sulfide alongside iron and manganese, which means a treatment approach built for one contaminant often needs to handle several at once.

Conventional treatment approaches can meet these challenges, but systems that rely on chemical feed and large detention basins can require significant space, added chemical handling, and higher construction costs. For utilities and industrial operators working with limited real estate or tight capital budgets, that trade-off is a real constraint.

The Solution: WaterPlus Filtration Systems

WaterPlus pre-engineered filtration systems are designed to minimize both cost and complexity. Rather than a custom-engineered plant built from the ground up, WaterPlus systems ship as factory-piped, factory-wired, skid-mounted pressure vessels.

When paired with our OxiPlus catalytic media line, WaterPlus systems are engineered for high loading rates while minimizing the overall footprint and construction requirements.

Curious whether a WaterPlus system fits your site? Let’s Talk

OxiPlus Catalytic Media: OxiPlus⁷⁵ and OxiPlus¹²

Both OxiPlus75 and OxiPlus¹² are NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certified catalytic filter media designed for the removal of iron, manganese, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide, and radium from groundwater. While they solve the same core problem, the two media are built for different applications.0

Treatment performance depends on factors such as influent water chemistry, contaminant concentrations, pH, temperature, and hydraulic loading, so system and media selection should be based on the specific characteristics of the water source.

OxiPlus⁷⁵

OxiPlus⁷⁵ is a natural pyrolusite mineral made up of approximately 75% manganese dioxide by weight, mined and crushed to a 20×40 mesh. It supports loading rates of 6 to 10 gpm/sq ft, with some plants designed up to 15 gpm/sq ft, which allows for a smaller filter footprint than conventional media at the same capacity. OxiPlus⁷⁵ requires a sodium hypochlorite feed to keep the media in its oxidized state, and radium removal specifically requires a hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) feed. OxiPlus⁷⁵ is BuildBuy America, Buyild America Act (BABAA) compliant.

Best suited for:

• Sites with space constraints where a smaller filter footprint matters
• Municipal and industrial pretreatment applications where manganese is present
• New plant builds and full retrofit projects

OxiPlus¹²

OxiPlus¹² is a silica sand core coated with a minimum 12% manganese dioxide. The heavier manganese dioxide coating drives the oxidation-reduction reaction that converts dissolved iron and manganese into filterable particles, while the media filters particles down to 10 microns. OxiPlus¹² supports loading rates of 2 to 8 gpm/sq ft, holds up in water that’s low in silica, TDS, and hardness, and is made in the USA and Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act compliant.

Best suited for:

• Greensand filter retrofits, since it’s designed as a drop-in upgrade
• Higher operating temperatures and higher differential pressures than standard greensand can handle
• Applications where longer run times between backwashes reduce operating cost

Not sure which media fits your water chemistry? Let’s Talk

Why WaterSurplus

Our OxiPlus media and WaterPlus systems have more than 100 installations across municipal and industrial applications. A few things set the approach apart, beyond the media itself:

• Integrated system design. WaterPlus systems are designed around the selected OxiPlus media and the site’s treatment requirements, rather than treating the vessel and media as separate components.
• High-rate filtration. Higher design loading rates can reduce vessel size and, in some applications, eliminate the need for a separate detention basin.
• Faster installation. Factory-piped and factory-wired skids reduce field assembly and installation requirements compared with fully custom-built systems.
• Simpler operation. Features such as a single three-way valve per vessel and standard stainless steel distribution hubs simplify day-to-day operation and maintenance.
• Proven application experience. OxiPlus media and WaterPlus systems have been deployed across more than 100 municipal and industrial installations.

Proven in the Field

• Rockford, IL — A newly drilled well with a 2,000 GPM expected capacity came online contaminated with iron, manganese, and radium. Traditional treatment using a potassium permanganate feed would have required a 60,000-gallon detention basin and two 10-foot diameter by 36-foot long horizontal vessels. Using OxiPlus⁷⁵, we designed a high-rate filter plant that reduced the equipment to a single 10-foot diameter by 34-foot long horizontal filter.
• Milford, IL — A turnkey retrofit replaced an aging treatment plant with a new OxiPlus⁷⁵ system, designed at a 6.25 GPM/ft² surface loading rate to keep equipment size and project cost down. The plant received IL-EPA approval following a successful pilot and has been in operation since 2018.
• Random Lake, WI — After a 1970s-era horizontal filter began failing due to underdrain corrosion, we replaced it with an OxiPlus⁷⁵ system sized to fit inside the existing building. Installed in 2017, the system has consistently reduced iron concentrations to less than 0.1 mg/L.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between OxiPlus⁷⁵ and OxiPlus¹²?

OxiPlus⁷⁵ is a natural pyrolusite media built for higher loading rates and smaller footprints, while OxiPlus¹² is a coated silica sand designed primarily as a greensand retrofit media. Both remove iron, manganese, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide, and radium.

Do OxiPlus systems require chemical feed?

Yes. A sodium hypochlorite feed keeps the media in its oxidized state, and radium removal requires an additional hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) feed.

Can OxiPlus media be used in an existing filter, or does it require a new system?

Both. OxiPlus¹² in particular is designed to work as a retrofit in existing greensand filters, while OxiPlus⁷⁵ is often paired with a new WaterPlus pre-engineered system, though it can be evaluated for existing vessels too.

How do I know which media is right for my water?

It depends on your water chemistry, existing infrastructure, and site constraints. A pilot test is the most reliable way to confirm performance before committing to a full-scale design.

Do I need a pilot test before installing an OxiPlus system?

Pilot testing can help confirm media performance and establish the appropriate loading rate for your specific water chemistry. We can evaluate your water quality, treatment objectives, and existing infrastructure to determine whether pilot testing makes sense for your project.