Drip irrigation filtering iron water

Hi all, I have high amounts of iron in my well water, including small flakes and sediment. I’ve got a salt-based filter for water entering the house, but I’m looking to set up a drip irrigation system using 1/2” poly tubing. Seems I should get a cleanable mesh filter to install ahead of the drip tubing so it doesn’t quickly clog right? Would probably end up going thru tons of salt if I attached the salt filter to the irrigation system. Maybe? I’ll be drip irrigating about 300 feet of trees/shrubs/annuals in a semi-arid climate. Does anyone have recommendations for filters to use ahead of drip lines in this scenario? I’ve been recommended steel mesh filters that can be removed, cleaned, and reused. Trying to figure out which one would be best.

Thanks,
Sean

Sean,

I also have iron particles from the well casing, but no salts. The water is excellent.
I use Netafim Arkal Disc Filter Water Irrigation 1 1/2", 120 Mesh
It has plastic rings that work as the filter. Easy to clean.
I clean it once every 5 irrigations or when I notice pressure drop (trees at the end not getting enough water).

*** I'll add a photos to this post tomorrow if I can photo my filtering system:

I’ve been in a similar situation with well water high in iron, and I can definitely understand the struggle with clogged drip systems. You’re right about needing a cleanable filter before your drip lines. I personally use a 150-200 mesh filter that’s made specifically for high iron content and sediment. The key is to choose one with a fine enough mesh to capture the flakes and sediment without restricting flow too much. Another thing to keep in mind is the filter’s maintenance. You’ll want one that’s easy to remove and clean regularly, especially with well water. Also, I found that installing a pre-filter system, such as a sand or sediment filter, before the mesh filter can help reduce buildup. This setup has kept my drip lines clear for a while now!

I am no expert on this, but would consider a biochar based filter. Biochar has been shown to help greatly with heavy metal sequestration, though I do not know about Iron in particular I cannot see why it’d be an outlier. I think I recall biochar filtration achieved 95%+ reduction of contaminants from galvanized metal for years without reduced efficacy. I think this was the podcast I heard that:

In Search of Soil - Guest Francesco Tortorici:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-soil/id1535285404?i=1000527342641

Another episode with Kelpie Wilson has more on biochar.

I would envision, sized depending on your volume needs, either a food grade barrel or IBC filled with gravel and biochar (possibly best mesh bagged)that get water flowing in from the bottom and over flow into a holding tank. Ideally this is then gravity fed to garden (it will need 12ft/4m of head for dripline pressure. This application also has a special type of biochar, I think produced at higher heat than that intended for the garden.

A wetland simulating bed with Iron loving plants could also be a part of the system.

Sean, can I suggest with 300ft of irrigation pipe the use of 1 inch pipe as feeder lines or even as a circular ring with spokes going across
will give you better flow with a higher pressure level at each sprinkler.

There are different ways to do it. Plumb a filter before the irrigation lines, and change the filter often. Also you could get an iron filtration unit similar to your softener, but just for your irrigation lines. You would need a filter with greensand media.

Plumb that before the irrigation line and that would pull out all your iron.
As far as creating this you could get creative you don't have to get a tank but it's straight forward.
As far as cleaning that tank you will need to run a solution of  potassium permagnate through that greensand filter to clean it when it clogs up eventually with iron.

My advice is if you irrigate try to rig up a rain water system or dig swales and run lines off the swales with sand filters. Fighting iron is lots of upkeep and maintenance.