Iron & manganese are the two most commonly found metals in well water that are responsible for stains, discoloration, odor & bad taste. Iron is probably 10x more prevalent than manganese for no other reason than the fact that it's one of the most prevalent elements found in the earth's crust. Iron & manganese are governed by Secondary Standards, which are aesthetically based - not health related. With that said; there are some ailments related to excessive consumption of iron & manganese. The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for iron is 0.3 mg/l...manganese is .05 mg/l.
Iron & manganese can be present in several forms (species). Clear water, oxidized, organic, & colloidal. The differences in species are stark, however; what the average person needs to know is; there is no such thing as a one treatment fixes all solution. When reviewing a potability analysis, beware that the results noted on the report may not tell the whole story. This is critical to understand especially when buying a home that has iron / manganese problems. A quick example; clear water iron is readily removed by a conventional water softener. Organically bound iron will need some form of chemical oxidation followed by filtration...& maintenance on this type of system can be cumbersome. The cost differentials between the two treatment technologies can be several thousand dollars
When dealing with any type of water quality issue, it is important to access the approach of the treatment professional. Are they a "one trick pony" operation that installs water softeners for every problem they come across? Does the contractor have any water treatment training beyond plumbing experience? Does the contractor have plan "B" & "C" in the event there are unforeseen issues or reactions to what has been implemented? Iron, manganese, or any type of water quality issue should not be a reason to back away from a real estate purchase provided it is addressed in the proper fashion whereby long term negative consequences are averted.
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