---
title: "Howdy. I reside in Alaska and iron oxide is a common ingredient in…"
description: "Howdy. I reside in Alaska and iron oxide is a common ingredient in the water. Most can’t afford to drill to the depths of 132’-136’ for iron oxide (rust) free…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/aGAK-4ayRFKntIfFxTpxsQ/VSkYWoIpXUuOOdKwcsCAj5"
community: "Expert Level Greenspace"
author: "Jackye"
published: "2025-04-28T23:34:01.412687Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/VYuu7eEKrF1zkL7VGdzUBNO-CoNwp_eAWKjr1nBKAl4/-BibO1vQSpipi3jadFqEhg.webp?size=large"
---

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# Howdy. I reside in Alaska and iron oxide is a common ingredient in…

_Posted by Jackye on 2025-04-28_

Howdy. I reside in Alaska and iron oxide is a common ingredient in the water. Most can’t afford to drill to the depths of 132’-136’ for iron oxide (rust) free water, but there is a solution (my well is 30’ deep) to clean up the water naturally and that’s with Shungite chips from the Karelian region of Russia.

I wanted to share this knowledge with the Planta community because it could help out my fellow human, and beloved plants that need cleaner water.

Attached is what I use for cleaning the drinking water. Once a month, I clean the Shungite with citrus acid and water. I know it works because the water turns orange as the iron oxide is released by the citric acid aka lemon juice. Once the Shungite is used up (about 6 months), I add them to the soil of my plants which provides carbon.

Have a great gardening season! Cheers!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/VYuu7eEKrF1zkL7VGdzUBNO-CoNwp_eAWKjr1nBKAl4/-BibO1vQSpipi3jadFqEhg.webp?size=large)

## 3 comments

### Wolfen 🐺 commented on 2025-04-29

Love this! That's good info. When i lived in Ak I just used an aquarium heavy metals water conditioner.

### Waspinator commented on 2025-06-02

The reason shungite does that is that it has high carbon content. Regular activated charcoal filters may be more affordable and less likely to put heavy metals in the water :)

#### Jackye replied on 2025-06-02

I disagree. Shungite won a Nobel Peace Prize for the group of scientists discovering its fullerene structure, and there is no other carbon structure like it on Earth. Shungite purifies organic and non-organic toxins. Carbon based filters don’t work with the iron content in my well water. My next step for cleaner water is a distiller and then using shungite to remineralize the water. I have tested my waters with a TDS meter and trust me, those Brita or Purr water filters add more solids to the water.

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