Rusty Water, Rotten Eggs, and the Filter Showdown You Didn’t Know You Needed

Greensand Filters vs. KDF-85 Filters vs. Chlorination Systems: Which Water Filtration Option is Right for Your Home?

Ah, water. The lifeblood of our homes. It keeps us hydrated, washes our dishes, waters our gardens, and occasionally stains our sinks bright orange because of a little thing called iron. Or sulfur. Or manganese. (Yay, Florida!)

If you’re looking into home water filtration options, you’ve probably seen a few terms pop up that sound more like alien tech than plumbing solutions: Greensand filters, KDF-85 media, and chlorination systems. So what’s the difference? Which one is best for your family? And how can you get great water without needing a chemistry degree?

Let’s break down each of these filtration systems—pros, cons, quirks, and all.

• Greensand Filters: The Unsung Hero of Water Filtration

What it does: Greensand filters use a special type of sand that's coated with manganese oxide. This magical coating helps remove iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide (the stuff that makes your water smell like rotten eggs).

Pros:

1. Low maintenance. Once installed, it mostly does its thing with minimal fuss.

2. Reliable and effective. Especially great at tackling the "stinky water" and orange staining problems.

3. Long-lasting media. You don’t need to replace the media often—saving you time and money.

Cons:

1. Needs periodic regeneration. It uses a small amount of potassium permanganate to recharge, but the process is pretty hands-off once set up.

2. Not a catch-all. If you’ve got bacteria or more aggressive contamination, you may need something stronger.

Verdict: Greensand filters are kind of like the minivan of the filtration world—dependable, low maintenance, and great for most families. If your water isn’t playing nice, this is usually our first recommendation.

• KDF-85 Filters: Solid, But With Some Strings Attached

What it does:KDF-85 is a granular media made from copper and zinc alloy, designed specifically to remove iron, hydrogen sulfide, and some heavy metals from water—especially in well water systems. It uses a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction to do its thing.

Pros:

1. Effective against iron and sulfur. Not too shabby for odor control and orange staining.

2. Chemical-free. Doesn’t require any regeneration chemicals like potassium permanganate or chlorine.

3. Can be used with other filters. Often paired with carbon filters or softeners.

Cons:

1. More expensive to install. Higher upfront cost compared to greensand.

2. Media replacement every ~2 years. You’ll need to swap it out regularly to keep performance up.

3. Can be picky. Works best within certain pH and water chemistry ranges—might not be as forgiving as greensand in real-world conditions.

4. Daily Regeneration. It does require nightly regenerations, using more water to clean itself.

Verdict:KDF-85 is a solid contender, especially if you’re trying to stay chemical-free. That said, for many homes, it’s more finicky and more costly over time.

• Chlorination Systems: The Heavy-Duty Problem Solver

What it does:A chlorination system injects chlorine into your water to kill bacteria, neutralize sulfur, and oxidize iron. Then a carbon filter usually follows to remove any leftover chlorine before it reaches your tap.

Pros:

1. Highly effective. Kills bacteria, handles sulfur and iron like a boss.

2. Great for problem water. If nothing else has worked, this probably will.

Cons:

1. High maintenance. Think of it as the needy houseplant of filtration—regular refills of chlorine, monitoring levels, cleaning, etc.

2. Lots of consumables. Chlorine, test kits, filters… it adds up.

3. Some people don’t love chlorine. Even though it’s removed before use, the idea of adding it at all is a turnoff for some.

Verdict: If your water’s got all the issues (and then some), this system will take care of business. Just be prepared to babysit it a little—or have us help you maintain it!

So… Which One Should You Choose?

It really depends on what’s in your water—and what you’re willing to deal with.

1. If you want low-maintenance, reliable filtration for iron, manganese, and sulfur: Greensand is your go-to.

2. If you're trying to stay chemical-free and don’t mind a little more hands-on care: KDF-85 might be your match.

3. If your water is a full-blown science experiment and needs a serious intervention: Chlorination is the way.

At the end of the day, clean, safe water isn’t just about convenience—it’s about keeping your family healthy, your home protected, and your plumbing out of therapy. If you're not sure which direction to go, we’re happy to test your water and help you find the right fit.

And yes, we’ll even explain what “redox” means over coffee.

Want us to take a look at your water and give you the scoop?Contact us today and we’ll help you turn that funky faucet into fresh, clean peace of mind.