Birm Filter Media for Whole House Water Filters
Birm Iron Filter Media is a common filter component used for iron removal in whole house water filters. Birm is manufactured and processed by the Clack Corporation in Windsor, Wisconsin.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how Birm works, along with some basic guidelines you need to know when using it. At the end, we’ll put everything together and build a sample system for an imaginary family.
Boilerplate Warning: Remember that filter media is only one component of an Iron Filter. Birm filters have their limitations. Our FREE WATER TEST is an easy way to make sure that Birm filter media is the right choice for your iron filter.
What is Birm?
Birm is actually an acronym that stands for “Burgess Iron Removal Method”. Birm filter mineral is produced by impregnating Manganous salts to a core made of Aluminum Silicate. This granular filter media is black in color and is moderately dense.
Birm Filter Media Specifications
| Service Flow Rate | 3.5 – 5gpm/sq. ft. |
| Backwash Flow Rate | 10 – 12gpm/sq. ft. |
| Density | 40lbs/cu. ft. |
| Average Life | 8-10 years |
| pH Requirements | 6.8 – 9.0 |
| Dissolved Oxygen Levels | 15% |
How Does Birm Work?
Dissolved Iron, and Manganese cannot be removed by a filter. They need to be oxidized and precipitate into larger “chunks” so they can be removed by a filter.
Birm acts as an insoluble catalyst that enhances the reaction between Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.) and Iron/Manganese. Once oxidized, Birm filter media strains the contaminants out of the water.
Eventually the oxidized solids will begin coating the surface of the filter media and a powerful backwash or flush will be required to keep the media clean.
Like all Iron Filters, Birm must be backwashed according to the manufacturer’s specification. A weak backwash will either shorten the service life or stop the system all together.
Pre-Treatment Recommendations
Birm may be a strong enough oxidant on its own for iron levels up to 3ppm.
If Dissolved Oxygen levels are under 15%, the addition of an air injection system will be required to make the system work. Air injection along with a retention take large enough for 3 minutes of contact will greatly improve the performance of the system.
Unlike Greensand or Pyrolox, Chlorine injection is NOT recommended for Birm. Chlorination greatly reduces Birm’s effectiveness and at high concentrations can deplete the catalytic coating.
Birm must NOT be used on water that contains Hydrogen Sulfide or Tannins
Sample Birm Iron Filter Example
Let’s say your family needs to be able to simultaneously operate the following water-using fixtures:
(1) sink
(1) toilet
(1) bathtub
This example has a peak flow rate requirement of 8gpm (gallons per minute). If you have marginally poor water with 1ppm of Iron and no other contaminants, you could use a simple backwashing Birm Filter – WITHOUT PRE-TREATMENT.
A 12” diameter filter has 0.79 sq. ft. of surface area. Birm’s peak flow rate is 5gpm/sq. ft., so a 12” filter would provide 3.95gpm of filtered water (0.79 x 5).
So, for this example, we would use (2) 12” filters run in parallel.
Birm has a backwash and rinse rate of 10-12gpm/sq. ft., which is very similar to our Iron Curtain Filter Systems.
This means that each 12” diameter filter will require 8.7gpm to backwash and rinse. The complete system would use 261 gallons of water to regenerate EVERY THREE DAYS.
Summary
Birm is fairly easy to use when water chemistry allows the system to work without pre-treatment. Most water in the Twin Cities, however, just has too much Iron for a Filter-Only system to work.
From time to time, we use Birm Iron Filters when water chemistry is agreeable. With more severe water problems, we have found the flexibility of the Iron Curtain filter system to be much more reliable.
Who We Are
Premier Water is a local, family-owned water treatment company based in Chanhassen, MN. Since 1978, Premier Water has successfully implemented 1000’s of Residential and Commercial Filters and Purification Systems. We offer a FREE WATER TEST to gather information and help our clients with the right solution for their needs. We can also be reached at (952) 479-4553 for more information.
is birm made of cocanut shell?
Thanks for visiting our blog! Birm is essentially Manganese and Sand. Coconut Shells are used to make a certain type of Carbon. FYI Carbon can also be from wood and coal. Hope that helps.
My husband and I have just built a house that uses well water. We have a bit of an issue with iron in that well water. Water analysis shows 6.180 ppm as Fe. Would I be correct to assume that this level is too high for the Birm Filter to work?
Thanks
debbie H
A birm filter would require a high pH (greater than 7.2) and a high level of dissolved oxygen to work with that much iron
My water has an iron level of 0.42 mg/L as determined by Lab Test Method of SM “3111B.” The iron stains the sinks, bathtubs and has a slight odor to it. The pH of the water is 7.6.
I am considering getting a Birm Iron filter, but do not know if this type of filter will effectively trap the iron from the water.
Also, it has been suggested to me that I could purchase a single tank electric unit (for $1500), or a double tank non-electric unit (at $2,500).
Can you help me weed through the quagmire of suggested filter systems for their effectiveness & costs?
I appreciate any help you can provide me.
Where are you located?
Do you have a water softener or any other equipment?
Have you tested Manganese or Tannins?
There are alot of options on the market! We think the best ones are easy to clean and maintain (fewer parts, less failure points), with durable piston driven designs.
Before you buy any filter, you need to know:
well output in gpm
flow rate you actually need
how much water your drain can take in gpm
Once you have those figured out, you can buy a Birm filter or another technology. Without those, you have a high risk of failure.
Thanks for posting!
Why is Birm hard to find now? I have been trying to find replacement berm since July 2015. My dealer said he can’t find it even though he’s called several places to try to reorder.
Hey Paula,
We usually have Birm in stock. Give us a call at 952-767-0230 and we can help you out.
Thanks for posting!
In a Birm iron filter system can the air injector ( such as a micronizer) be installed at the Birm filter or must it be installed between the deep well pump and the pneumatic storage tank? Thanks
You could….but micronizers restrict flow and are a real hassle. An air pump would be much better.
Thanks for posting!
Lars what do mean by an air pump and could it be installed at the birm filterA?
I was referring to an air pump like that used on the Iron Curtain:
http://www.premierwatermn.com/water-systems/iron-filters/iron-curtain-filter-residential/
Dear Lars,
We have been using BIRM in three tanks for about 2 years. Our well water has pH 5.0; 20-25 ppm Fe, 5 ppm Mn. We inject sodium hydroxide into the water as it enters an air inductor and 120 gallon holding tank before the three 16″x65″ filter tanks in parallel. Flow rate is about 15 gpm. In the last year the effectiveness of this system has declined and although we have been able to keep the processed water pH in the 7.5-8.5 range it appears that the BIRM is failing. We are about to replace the BIRM with Katalox-Lite. Have you any experience with it and in particular with the criticality of the control of the pH? The major issue is my wife’s blond hair is stained by the rust and the system after twice weekly backwash generates soluble iron that her hair attracts wonderfully – intermittently. White cotton tee shirts are pretty good soluble iron detectors as well. Thoughts? Thank you.
Holy swamp water Batman! Where do you live? 5ppm manganese?
We have used Katalox extensively, and it is a good manganese-dioxide based media. It may also aid in helping raise your pH.
I would run a small pilot study to see how it works on your water before purchasing 12.5ft to rebed your tanks (feel free to contact us for a quote).
Thanks for posting!
I have had a birm water filter operational for about 4 years, and the last time I backwashed the filter the water did not clear up from the black birm material. Does the birm material deterate with time? Does it breakdown and just get washed out of the system?
That could be the coating being stripped off, or just manganese from your water that is not being completely flushed out. Birm has a useful like of 4-5 years, probably a good time to change it out.
There are denser medias that can last up to 10 years.
Thanks for posting!
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am having trouble with iron in the well that feeds my house. The pH of the water in the well is 6.9, and the iron concentration is 0.45 mg/L. My peak water demand is somwhere around 10 gpm.
I already have a filter installed from another company that uses carbon and KDF. My question is, could I add a layer of Birm to filter iron?
Thank you in advance!
Neither KDF or carbon work all that well for iron reduction. Birm could work if you have enough dissolved oxygen and raise the pH. You’ll also need at least 30″ of bed depth, so you’d probably have to remove and throw the carbon/KDF away.
We can help design/sell a birm filter that supports 10gpm.
Thanks for posting!
pH 3.9 how to increase pH before using BIRM
You could use a calcite filter, or a liquid soda ash injection system (preferable).
Thanks for posting!
Is there something that can be injected into my iron filter to deep clean the birm media?
How old is the birm? What has fouled the media? Chlorine will strip off the manganese dioxide coating. Thanks for posting!