How do I get rid of iron staining and rotten-egg smell in well water?
Orange-brown staining is dissolved iron; the rotten-egg smell is hydrogen sulfide gas, often paired with sulfur bacteria. Both are removed by oxidation followed by filtration — typically an air-injection or catalytic media tank ahead of the softener — not by a water softener alone.
Identify which problem you have
Clear water that turns orange after sitting: dissolved ferrous iron. A softener handles small amounts; above roughly 0.3 mg/L it needs dedicated treatment or it will foul the resin.
Water that is already orange from the tap: ferric iron (particles) — needs filtration.
Slimy orange buildup in the toilet tank: iron bacteria, which needs shock chlorination of the well plus ongoing treatment.
Rotten-egg smell only on hot water: often the water heater's anode rod reacting, not the well.
Treatment options
Air-injection oxidizing filters handle moderate iron and sulfur together with no chemicals and are the most common fix in this region.
Chemical injection (chlorine or peroxide) plus contact tank and filter handles heavy iron, sulfur and bacteria at once.
Manganese usually rides along with iron and is treated by the same equipment.
Order of operations
Oxidation and filtration first, softening second, drinking-water RO last. Installing a softener ahead of iron removal is the most common mistake we're called out to correct.
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