Protector Iron / Sulfur Breaker System

Advanced Oxidation Water Treatment

The Iron / Sulfur Breaker is an oxidation-based water treatment system designed to effectively remove iron and sulfur contaminants from well water. The system removes dissolved iron (Ferrous Iron) and oxidized iron (Ferric Iron), eliminates hydrogen sulfide, and improves overall water quality while protecting plumbing and downstream treatment equipment.

System Benefits

This System Does NOT USE SALT!
Removes Dissolved Iron (Ferrous Iron)
Removes Oxidized Iron (Ferric Iron)
Eliminates Sulfur Odors
Eliminates Hydrogen Sulfide (Sulfur Gas)
Reduces Rust Staining on Plumbing and Fixtures
Improves Water Clarity and Aesthetic Quality
Reduces Fouling of Plumbing, Valves, and Appliances
Enhances Performance and Longevity of Downstream Equipment
Ideal for Irrigation Systems
Ideal as Pre-Treatment Prior to a Water Softener

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Iron / Sulfur Breaker use a chemical feeder for irrigation?

Read Video Transcript / Summary

Folks, it’s Chris here, East Coast Water Quality. You’re checking this video out because you want to know, do we use the chem feeders for irrigation systems? And if we do or don’t, why? And that’s really what I want to do is give you a quick little rundown. Also, some installation questions that we typically get with these iron sulfur breakers for the irrigation applications, what sizing, that type of thing.

Not going to be real complicated. I’ll start real quick with no, we do not use chem feeders. Why don’t we use the chem feeders, which is the Rid O’ Rust type of system that you see? We don’t like using chemicals.

They’re a pain in the end of maintenance. If you don’t continually put that chemical in there, that pump, which barely lasts a year for us, which is why we stopped selling them several years ago, they’re going to burn up if you don’t keep that chemical fed in there.

And they just flat out do not work as good as our iron sulfur breakers. These we can guarantee they’re going to work. The other ones, they work great 70 to 80% of the time. So that in a nutshell, we need you happy to refer customers for us.

Moving on to installation of the iron sulfur breakers. There’s no application, just so you know, that we can’t treat with these irrigation systems. Some people, we’ve treated homes with 15 acres. A gentleman basically had like a mini golf course and had the craziest iron sulfur you could imagine.

Didn’t want to smell the sulfur, didn’t want the iron. You say, “How’s he smell the sulfur?” Well, he actually had a 50-foot-tall fountain that would spray up in the middle of a huge pond in his yard. And the wind would constantly blow, and that actually caused staining on the house too because of that mist.

So that was 2-inch plumbing, 60 zones. Just a ginormous application. In your case, if you’re watching this, most likely you’re just in a regular neighborhood yard under an acre. That’s never going to be a problem just for our regular iron sulfur breaker. So the application is not going to be extreme.

Where can you install them? Of course, inside garages is always preferable if that’s where your irrigation pump is. However, if we have to use an external location, let’s say you have a pump outside, we can dig these things down about 24 inches.

Keep in mind, they’re not using a brine tank, so you don’t have the extra maintenance. All they’re doing is draining. They’re not using salt, so it’s not like you’re going to have to take the shelter off of it back and forth.

As far as winterizing it though, you could bleed the water out of it. If it’s in a pump where you’re already having to heat up those couple days, if you’re in our Virginia, North Carolina locations, you get those two, three days every once in a while that will freeze. You can put a little lamp in there, put a little heat source in there to keep it from freezing, but other than that, there’s not a ton to it.

Of course, we do have to plug the computer in to set the days for cycle. Any other questions that you have, feel free to reach out to us, but yeah, not real complicated. They definitely work and we feel great about them.

Thanks.

What You’ll Learn in This Video

Why ECWQ doesn’t use chemical feeders for irrigation systems
How the Iron Sulfur Breaker treats iron and sulfur without salt
How the system can handle small yards and large irrigation applications
Where an Iron Sulfur Breaker can be installed indoors or outdoors
What to know about drainage and installation
How to protect the system from freezing during cold weather

If I have Iron in my water, should I be worried?

Iron is one of the most common naturally occurring elements found in household water—especially in groundwater and private wells. While iron is generally considered an aesthetic (secondary) contaminant rather than a primary health contaminant, it can still create big problems in the home: metallic taste, rust staining, sediment, and buildup in plumbing and appliances. The EPA’s secondary guideline for iron is 0.3 mg/L, based on nuisance effects like rusty color, sediment, metallic taste, and orange staining.

What causes iron in household water?

Iron most often enters water when groundwater moves through iron-bearing soil and rock. It can also be influenced by oxidation, age of plumbing components, and changes in water chemistry that affect how iron behaves. Illinois Department of Public Health

What are some signs of iron in my water?

If you’re experiencing any of the following, iron is a common culprit:

Metallic-tasting water, especially noticeable in coffee/tea and cooking
Orange/brown staining on sinks, tubs, toilets, grout, and fixtures
Rust stains on laundry, dingy whites, or repeated discoloration after washing
Rusty-looking water or particles that settle in a glass/container
Clogging/buildup in fixtures, pumps, or appliances over time

How does iron affects your home?

1) Stains that don’t want to leave

Iron commonly creates yellow/orange/brown staining on:

Toilets, tubs, sinks, showers, grout, and fixtures
Laundry and linens (rust marks, dingy whites)

2) Taste & cooking changes

Iron can create a metallic, unpleasant taste and affect beverages and foods. Some sources note it can darken tea/coffee and even change how certain foods look after cooking.

3) Plumbing and appliance wear

Iron can contribute to:

Buildup in pipes and fixtures
Reduced performance in water-using appliances
Clogging in pumps/fixtures over time

4) Iron-related slime/biofilm (in some well systems)

Some well environments can develop iron-related buildup that appears as reddish-brown deposits and can worsen odor, staining, and clogging symptoms.

What is the difference between Ferrous vs. Ferric iron?

Iron doesn’t show up the same way in every home. The “type” of iron matters because it changes how you experience it.

Ferrous Iron (Fe²⁺) — “Clear-Water Iron”

Dissolved and soluble in water (often invisible at the tap)
Commonly appears clear at first, then changes after exposure to oxygen
Can still cause staining and taste issues even when you can’t see it

Why water can turn rusty later: when ferrous iron is exposed to oxygen, it can oxidize and convert into visible forms that stain. Clearwater Systems+1

Ferric Iron (Fe³⁺) — “Red-Water Iron”

Oxidized and insoluble (particulate)
Appears as rust-colored particles or cloudy reddish/orange water
Often settles as brown sediment at the bottom of a glass/container

Many homeowners experience both: clear water (ferrous) that later produces red/orange staining (ferric) as oxidation occurs.

Customer Satisfaction

Our customers rave about the life-changing benefits of installing The Protector Series in their homes. From significant improvements in skin and hair health to the elimination of lime scum and the enhanced cleanliness of dishes and laundry, the testimonials speak volumes about the system’s impact.

Choose The Protector Series for an unmatched water softening experience that brings comfort, savings, and efficiency to your home. Invest in the quality of your water, and by extension, the quality of your life.

Fits Anywhere Conveniently!

Protector Iron / Sulfur Breaker with Protector Series Conditioner

What Our Customers Say

    
 
 
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   Aeryn P 
 July 21, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have had a wonderful experience with East Coast Water Quality. Mr. Joel Newcomb came to our house for an in-home water test and was very professional and knowledgeable. He was extremely helpful in identifying issues with our water and helping us get the installation scheduled. The installation tech who came was also very knowledgeable and made sure to walk me through everything I needed to know about our new system.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Brittany B 
 May 19, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our hard water that was causing skin issues for the whole family. The system installation was fast and and the reps were super helpful answering any questions we had.  We noticed a difference immediately and now our kids skin conditions have improved.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Kathy D 
 May 19, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ryan did a great job installing and cleaning up. He’s very polite and efficient about his work. He’s really nice young man!
  
 
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   Sam R 
 April 26, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great company to work with and no pressure.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alicia V 
 April 26, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very happy with East Coast Water Quality from start to finish. Mike was very knowledgeable and explained everything while testing the water. Installation was painless.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Denzel W 
 February 27, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Eastern Coastal Water Quality provided outstanding service from start to finish. Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to clearly explain the entire process. Communication was consistent, and they made everything simple and stress-free. You can tell they genuinely care about the quality of their work and their customers. I highly recommend Eastern Coastal Water Quality to anyone looking for reliable and trustworthy service.
  
 
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   James A 
 January 15, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. First class customer service! Chris, the owner, gave us a full on explanation of the systems available for our water issues and helped us to choose the best system to mitigate them. The price was easily the best we had been quoted from other services we inquired with and we didn't walk away feeling like we had just dealt with a "used car salesman". The installation was scheduled within a couple of days and the plumber, Ryan even showed up almost an hour early. He went right to work and a few hours later we were up and running. He took the time to fully explain the operations of the system and the maintenance required which was minimal. He cleaned up his work and left it as if he had never been here. Anyone looking for an affordable solution to your town, county, or well water problems, we highly recommend East Coast Water Solutions.
  
 
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   Monica B 
 October 24, 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend this company! We were tired of having to refill our water purifier everyday, and decided to get a reverse osmosis drinking system installed in our home. After filling out the online form, I was promptly contacted the next morning. Chris, the owner, clearly explained all the options and answered all of my questions. The informational collateral he shared was well-made and made everything easy to understand. When we decided to move forward, they were able to get us in right away! Ryan, our tech, arrived exactly when they said he would and he was so professional, courteous and knowledgeable, explaining everything about the system and walking me through the installation process. Overall, I had the best experience with East Coast Water Quality and would recommend them to anyone looking to improve the water quality in their home.