Discharge from Manganese Greensand filter

**NC Boy** · 11-03-2010, 09:50 AM

I'm considering installing a managanese greensand filter but would like some information on the discharge of the potassium permanganate solution from the backwash of the filter. What are the environmental effects of the discharge. Do I discharge to septic system, yard, or collect for disposal?

**Gary Slusser** · 11-04-2010, 08:56 AM

Septic system/sewer but, a greensand filter is not a good choice due to having to use expensive and dangerous potassium permanganate. There are other choices just as good or better.

**Water Dude** · 11-04-2010, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by NC Boy

I'm considering installing a managanese greensand filter but would like some information on the discharge of the potassium permanganate solution from the backwash of the filter. What are the environmental effects of the discharge. Do I discharge to septic system, yard, or collect for disposal?

I have seen the unit drain in a french drain, into the septic and on the ground. I feel the same as Gary, there are better ways the treat your water other than with potassium permanganate.

**NC Boy** · 11-05-2010, 03:55 AM

So what would be a better system. State lab results at 1.40 mg/l iron, 0.18 mg/l manganese, undetectable magnesium, 12.0 mg/l sulfate, and 17 mg/l calcium. Total Hardness 42 mg/l. Well is 195 feet deep with 10 gallons per minute yield and 33 feet of casing. Sulfate reducing bacteria negative. 5 gal/min flow rate. Problem is the staining of fixtures and cloths.

**Water Dude** · 11-05-2010, 05:38 AM

I would recommend a chlorination system followed by a carbon filter. Not only do you sanitize the water, you also oxidize the iron and manganese then the carbon filter will remove them as well as the chlorine from the water.

**Gary Slusser** · 11-05-2010, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by NC Boy

So what would be a better system. State lab results at 1.40 mg/l iron, 0.18 mg/l manganese, undetectable magnesium, 12.0 mg/l sulfate, and 17 mg/l calcium. Total Hardness 42 mg/l. Well is 195 feet deep with 10 gallons per minute yield and 33 feet of casing. Sulfate reducing bacteria negative. 5 gal/min flow rate. Problem is the staining of fixtures and cloths.

What is the pH?

What type and size well pump? (single line or two line jet or submersible and how deep if sub)

**NC Boy** · 11-05-2010, 10:05 AM

The pH is 7.1 How is the best way to tell what kind on pump and size? I don't see the pump when I remove the well cover.

**Akpsdvan** · 11-05-2010, 10:29 AM

Look for the pump controller, gray box with wires going and coming from it. There should be a label on it that says what size the pump is.

**NC Boy** · 11-05-2010, 01:42 PM

The orginal sample was checked by the State lab. I had the same concerns that you mentioned so a few weeks later, I pulled a sample at 7 am one mourning and checked at a local lab at 9am and pH was the same. I know the lab people who calibrate the meter so I feel the pH is correct.