Iron Breaker Whole-House Filter with Clack WS1EA Control Valve and Birm Media
Improve well-water quality and help protect your plumbing, fixtures, water heater, and appliances with this whole-house iron and manganese filtration system.
The system combines a programmable Clack WS1EA automatic control valve with Birm filtration media and an air-recharge oxidation process. The air pocket helps oxidize dissolved iron and manganese into filterable particles, while the Birm media captures the oxidized material before treated water continues throughout the home.
Automatic regeneration refreshes the air pocket and backwashes the media bed, helping maintain filtration performance with minimal day-to-day maintenance.
Ideal for: Private well-water applications with dissolved iron and manganese, residential and light-commercial installations, and pretreatment before water softeners or reverse osmosis equipment.
How the Iron Breaker Works
During regeneration, the Clack WS1EA valve draws air into the tank and creates an air pocket above the filter media.
During normal service, untreated well water passes through this air pocket. Dissolved iron and manganese are exposed to oxygen and converted into oxidized particles that can be trapped by the Birm media bed.
At the programmed regeneration interval, the system automatically backwashes the media to remove accumulated particles and then restores the air pocket for the next service cycle.
No Chemical Regeneration: Under proper operating conditions, Birm media does not require salt or chemical regenerants. Periodic backwashing is used to clean the media bed. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Key Features and Benefits
- Designed to reduce dissolved iron and manganese from well water
- Uses an air-recharge oxidation process before Birm filtration
- Clack WS1EA programmable automatic control valve
- Automatic backwash keeps the media bed clean
- Downflow service operation
- Durable non-corrosive fiberglass-reinforced mineral tank
- Helps reduce rust staining on sinks, tubs, toilets, and fixtures
- Helps protect plumbing, water heaters, appliances, and softeners
- Can reduce the iron load reaching a downstream water softener
- No salt or chemical regenerant required for the Birm media
- Suitable for residential and light-commercial well-water applications
- Assembled in Canada
Available Media Capacities
| Media Capacity | Typical Application |
|---|---|
| 1.0 cu. ft. | Smaller homes and lower water-demand applications |
| 1.5 cu. ft. | Typical residential applications |
| 2.0 cu. ft. | Larger households and higher service-flow requirements |
| 3.0 cu. ft. | Large residential or light-commercial applications |
Choosing the Correct Size: System sizing should be based on iron and manganese concentration, household peak-flow demand, well-pump capacity, available backwash flow, and overall water chemistry.
All sizes require approximately 3–4 business days of handling time before shipment.
Birm Media Operating Requirements
Birm performance depends heavily on incoming water chemistry. According to the supplied Birm specification, the recommended operating conditions include the following: :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
| Water Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| pH Range | 6.8–9.0 |
| Best pH for Manganese Reduction | Approximately 8.0–9.0 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | At least 15% of the iron, or combined iron and manganese, concentration |
| Maximum Water Temperature | 100°F / 38°C |
| Free Chlorine | Less than 0.5 ppm |
| Oil | None present |
| Polyphosphates | None present |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | Should be removed before contact with Birm media |
Important Water-Test Requirement: Birm is not suitable for every well-water condition. The supplied manufacturer specification states that hydrogen sulfide should be removed before the water contacts Birm media, and that high chlorine levels can reduce Birm activity. A complete water analysis is strongly recommended before ordering. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
System Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Control Valve | Clack WS1EA |
| Filtration Media | Birm |
| Service Flow | Downflow |
| Regeneration | Automatic air recharge, backwash and rinse cycles |
| Bypass Valve | Clack bypass valve |
| Connectors | 3/4-inch lead-free brass connectors |
| Gravel Underbed | Approximately 0.3 cu. ft. |
| Standard Tank Size | 10" × 54" for the applicable configuration |
| Available Media Capacities | 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 cu. ft. |
| Assembly | Canada |
Recommended Applications
- Residential well-water treatment
- Light-commercial well-water filtration
- Iron and manganese pretreatment before a water softener
- Reverse osmosis pretreatment
- Protection of plumbing fixtures and household appliances
What's Included
- Clack WS1EA automatic control valve
- Fiberglass-reinforced mineral tank
- Selected quantity of Birm filtration media
- Approximately 0.3 cu. ft. washed gravel underbed
- Clack bypass valve
- 3/4-inch lead-free brass connectors
- Internal distributor tube and filtration components
- Standard assembly hardware
Product Documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
What contaminants is this system designed to reduce?
This system is primarily designed to reduce dissolved iron and manganese from properly conditioned well water. Birm is a catalytic filtration media used to enhance oxidation of these dissolved metals so the resulting particles can be filtered from the water. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Does this system remove hydrogen sulfide or rotten-egg odour?
This Birm configuration should not be selected specifically for hydrogen sulfide removal. The Birm manufacturer's specification states that hydrogen sulfide should be removed before the water contacts the Birm media. If your water has a rotten-egg odour or measurable hydrogen sulfide, contact us with your water-test results so a more suitable media or treatment configuration can be recommended. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Does this system require salt?
No. Birm does not require salt or chemical regeneration under suitable operating conditions. The media is cleaned through periodic automatic backwashing.
Can this system be installed before a water softener?
Yes. Installing an iron filter ahead of a water softener can reduce the iron load reaching the softener and may help improve the softener's performance and service life.
Does Birm work with chlorinated water?
Birm is generally intended for low-chlorine raw water. The supplied specification lists free chlorine below 0.5 ppm and warns that higher chlorine levels can reduce the media's catalytic activity. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
What pH does Birm require?
For iron reduction, the supplied Birm specification lists a minimum operating pH of approximately 6.8. For manganese reduction, best results are generally achieved around pH 8.0–9.0. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
How often does the system regenerate?
The Clack WS1EA valve can be programmed for automatic regeneration. The appropriate interval depends on system size, contaminant loading, water usage, and available backwash flow. The valve also supports manual regeneration when required. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Whole-House System Shipping
Freight Shipping May Be Required: Due to the weight and dimensions of larger whole-house systems, some configurations cannot be shipped by regular parcel courier and must be shipped on a pallet by LTL freight.
Shipping Contribution: Max Water will cover shipping costs up to 12% of the total order value. If the actual shipping cost exceeds this amount, the customer is responsible for paying the remaining shipping balance.
Additional charges for residential delivery, liftgate service, remote-area delivery, delivery appointments, or other special-handling services may also apply depending on the destination and selected carrier.
If additional shipping charges are required, our team will contact you after the order is placed and before the shipment is released.
Before Ordering: For well-water applications, we strongly recommend providing a recent laboratory water analysis including iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, pH, hardness, TDS, alkalinity, chlorine, and other relevant parameters. Correct media selection and sizing depend on the actual water chemistry.
