Tea-colored water can turn your laundry yellow and leave stains that seem impossible to remove. This discoloration is caused by tannins—organic compounds released from decaying vegetation in your water supply. Not only do tannins affect the appearance of your water and laundry, but they also impart a musty taste and odor that can make drinking or cooking unpleasant.

The system that solves it

To eliminate tannins and restore crystal-clear water throughout your home, a tannin-selective anion-exchange filter is the ideal solution. This system is designed with a metered resin tank, resembling a traditional water softener valve in appearance, making it a familiar yet highly effective fixture in your water treatment setup. It incorporates a corrosion-proof tank equipped with a contaminant-selective ion-exchange resin that targets tannins specifically. The system automatically regenerates using brine, ensuring continuous, hassle-free performance without manual intervention. Because it treats water at the point of entry, it provides comprehensive, whole-house coverage so every faucet delivers fresh, clean water.

• Metered resin-tank system with softener-style valve
• Corrosion-resistant tank construction
• Contaminant-selective ion-exchange resin tailored for tannins
• Automatic brine regeneration for ongoing efficiency
• Whole-house treatment for consistent water quality

What it does for your home

• Delivers clear, colorless water free of tannin discoloration
• Prevents yellow staining on laundry and fabrics
• Eliminates musty tannin taste and odors for better drinking water
• Provides automatic regeneration so maintenance is effortless
• Treats water throughout the entire house, including showers and appliances
• Protects plumbing and fixtures from tannin buildup

Installing this system transforms your home’s water quality, restoring visual clarity and improving taste while protecting your laundry and plumbing. The automatic regeneration cycle ensures reliable performance without the need for frequent attention or manual operation.

Why it works

The heart of this system is the Purolite gel tannin-selective anion resin. Tannins are large organic molecules with a negative charge, classified as anions. The resin specifically adsorbs these tannin molecules from the water as it passes through the tank, trapping the organics and preventing them from entering your home’s supply. When the resin becomes saturated, an automatic regeneration cycle flushes it with brine, which displaces the trapped tannins and restores the resin’s capacity to continue removing contaminants. This ion-exchange process is highly effective at clearing both the color and the taste associated with tannins, providing consistently clean and pleasant water.

Sizing it right

Proper sizing is key to ensuring your tannin filter performs efficiently and meets your household water demands. Factors like the level of tannin contamination, daily water usage, and peak flow rates influence the ideal system capacity. A metered resin-tank system allows for customized regeneration cycles based on actual water consumption, optimizing resin life and salt use. We provide free sizing assistance to help match the right unit to your specific water quality and household needs, ensuring you get the most effective and economic solution.

Why buy from us

We supply tannin-selective systems built with trusted, serviceable components from respected brands like Fleck and Autotrol, known for their durable metered resin-tank heads. Our systems are not sealed or proprietary, so you maintain full access to service and parts if needed. Plus, we offer free shipping across the US, making it easy and cost-effective to get your system delivered. We specialize in matched one-brand systems to maximize reliability and simplify maintenance, giving you confidence in your purchase and ongoing support.

Common questions

Q? Will this system remove all types of organic material from my water?
A. This system specifically targets tannins, which are a type of organic anion causing tea-colored water and staining. While it effectively removes tannins, it is designed for this particular contaminant rather than all organic compounds.

Q? How often does the automatic regeneration occur?
A. The regeneration frequency depends on your household water usage and tannin levels. The metered valve tracks water flow and initiates regeneration only when the resin needs it, ensuring efficient operation without wasting salt or water.

Q? Can the system handle high tannin concentrations?
A. Yes, the tannin-selective resin is designed to adsorb large tannin molecules effectively. For very high tannin levels, proper sizing and possibly pre-treatment may be recommended, which we can assist you in evaluating through our free sizing service.

Shop the systems → or ask our water assistant to size and match it.