Iron measurement in water
Safety and quality with the Testomat® 2000 FE from Heyl
Introduction
The quality of drinking and service water is of crucial importance for households, agricultural businesses, and public institutions. One particularly important parameter is the iron concentration in the water. Iron occurs naturally in groundwater, but at high concentrations it can lead to discoloration, deposits, and an unpleasant taste.
With the Testomat® 2000 FE for iron measurement, values can be determined quickly, reliably, and directly on site. This enables preventive measures to be taken before problems arise and ensures that the water supply remains safe and fit for consumption for both private and commercial users.
Why iron measurement in water is important
Surface changes
Iron in water reacts with oxygen to form iron oxides that can attack pipes, lines, and pumps. Especially with prolonged use of well water, rust deposits form, shortening the service life of technical equipment. Regular iron measurements help to detect corrosion at an early stage and to take targeted measures such as filtering or chemical treatment.
Groundwater is one of the most important sources of drinking water. Iron concentrations vary depending on the region and geological conditions. High iron levels are not only a visual problem, but can also affect water quality. Continuous monitoring with the Testomat® 2000 FE from Heyl helps municipalities, district offices, and utilities comply with legal limits and ensure supply at all times.
Use of well water
Well water is used in many areas – from private households to agriculture and small businesses. Water containing iron can damage equipment such as pumps, boilers, and irrigation systems. With the Testomat® 2000 FE, users can quickly determine whether the water is suitable or needs to be treated. This saves costs, increases efficiency, and protects the environment by avoiding unnecessary chemical treatment.
Precise iron measurement with the Testomat® 2000 FE from Heyl
The Testomat has not only been a proven measuring system in the field of hardness measurement for over 60 years, but also reliably determines non-hardness parameters and is suitable for determining the iron concentration directly in water.
Advantages at a glance:
- Fast results: Measurements are available within minutes, no time-consuming laboratory samples required.
- Reliable data: High accuracy and repeatability ensure correct decisions.
- Early warning system: If iron levels rise, filtration, chemical treatment, or maintenance can be initiated in good time.
Areas of application
- Private well owners: Monitoring water quality for drinking and industrial water.
- Agriculture: Ensuring water quality for irrigation systems and animal husbandry.
- Public institutions: Supporting authorities, district offices, and water suppliers in monitoring groundwater.
- Industry and commerce: Prevention of iron deposits in systems, machines, and pipelines.
Sustainability and prevention
Using a Heyl Testomat for iron measurement not only contributes to the safety of the water supply, but also to the conservation of resources. Regular measurements help to reduce the use of chemicals and prevent unnecessary repairs or replacements in technical systems.
Early detection of high iron levels allows well or pipeline operators to take preventive action without harming the environment or incurring costs. In addition, the measurement supports compliance with legal requirements for drinking water quality and hygiene.
Solutions for measuring iron in water
Testomat 2000 Fe – Real-Time Iron Measurement in Water Reliable iron monitoring for process water with the online analysis device T 2000 by Heyl The Testomat 2000 Fe is an online analysis device for the continuous determination of dissolved iron in water (iron-II + iron-III). It operates with automatic reagent dosing and photometric analysis, providing consistently stable and reliable measurement results. The Testomat 2000 Fe is used wherever iron concentration must be monitored to prevent deposits, discoloration, or disruptions in downstream processes. Through automatic analysis, the device regularly delivers current measurements, allowing early responses to rising iron concentrations. Limit exceedances can thus be detected immediately and used to trigger alarms or control actions. Technical Strengths of the Testomat 2000 Fe The Testomat 2000 Fe uses a photometric measurement method in which iron-II and iron-III are evaluated after automatic addition of defined reagents. The analysis is carried out using two reagents, and after a reaction time of approximately 7 minutes (pure measurement time without rinsing), the result is displayed. Measurements are performed independently at set intervals or via external triggers. Technical features include two independently configurable limit contacts and various signal outputs for further processing of measurement values. Internal diagnostic functions support safe operation and facilitate maintenance planning. Optional interfaces allow connection to process control systems or external data loggers. Applications for the Testomat 2000 Iron De-icing systems Monitoring of de-icing systems and well water Control of operational and drinking water streams Why Iron Measurement is Crucial in Water Treatment Dissolved iron is initially invisible in water but can lead to deposits, discoloration, and disruptions in downstream processes through oxidation. Even low concentrations cause fouling of filters, pipelines, and membranes. Continuous iron measurement enables early detection of limit exceedances, protects plant components, and ensures consistent water quality in process, operational, and drinking water applications. Performance Profile of the Testomat 2000 Fe Analysis using automatic dosing of two reagents Display of the measurement result after approximately 7 minutes (measurement time without rinsing) Two independently programmable limit contacts for monitoring and control tasks Menu-guided operation and programming via plain-text display High measurement accuracy due to precise piston dosing pump Analysis triggering: Automatic interval operation (interval pauses adjustable from 0–99 minutes) External triggering Quantity-dependent via contact water meter Two independent limit values with hysteresis (1, 2, or 3 bad analyses) and adjustable switching functions Monitoring of two measuring points (switching via external solenoid valves) Internal error documentation Programmable service address Programmable maintenance interval for maintenance requests