Is the tank in the picture part of the iron regeneration system? My house has a separate tank, along with a compressor. The compressor sends air bubbles through the water, which oxidizes the iron, that gets filtered out in the tank. The tank regenerates, like a softener, on a schedule depending how much iron is in the water. It seems to work well. A bucket of untreated water will turn orange-brown in a few hours. Treated water is fine.

Small amounts of iron can be removed with a water softener (this is not appropriate for your situation)

Larger amounts of iron require a separate iron removal system - and then probably a water softener. (Sounds like you fall into this category)

The Pentek filter was never up to the task. It's the wrong solution. It will clog in short order - as it has. It should be removed.

They may have installed a Katalox system (the thing that regenerates) - which may be up to the task - but you need to remove the Pentek filter that's getting clogged first.

Here's how this process is supposed to work:

1. You get your water tested by a reputable lab - not by a salesperson.

2. Someone who understands water treatment provides solutions based on what you want to accomplish - and their knowledge and experience. They may have to educate the homeowner as to what is available - including things like Iron and hydrogen sulfide removal, water softening, carbon filtering, reverse osmosis for drinking water, or even disinfection if that's needed for well water.

Note the emphasis on getting good data - and then having access to a variety of solutions.

Here's what usually happens:

1. Homeowner has vague ideas about what they want ("Get the bad stuff out of the water." "I want absolutely pure water." etc.)

2. Sales person is there to sell hardware - if it's appropriate or not. They are sales people, not people who understand water treatment. They may sell way more than is needed ( RO, whole house carbon, etc.) when all the homeowner wanted was a water softener (Looking at you, Kinetico). They may sell a water softener when dedicated iron removal is needed. They may sell cartridge based system appropriate for under the sink - as a whole house system (your Pentek filter).

3. Water testing - if it's done - is done by the salesperson and may be accurate - or not.

Be aware that residential water treatment is thick with folks who use subtle and not so subtle scare tactics - starting with the blonde haired, blue eyed child drinking a big glass of water in their advertisements. They know people are concerned about chemicals in their water that they can't see, measure, or even have a good understanding of the risks involved. Stay away from these folks.

Is there someone locally who knows water treatment first - and not just trying to sell hardware?

Thanks. Seabornman, the green tank is our well-water holding tank. The tall silver tank goes with the regen part of the system.

Jake, I will ask around about someone who knows water treatment. I don't have a lot of confidence but I will ask around. (People put up with a lot of bad water up here, I guess. I'm sick of it, but it's taken me years to get to this point.)

Maybe the water testing lab recommends folks? Maybe there's a state agency? I'm in PA, if that is of any help.