Artesian MARIS MEDIA® is a granular manganese dioxide filtering media used for reducing iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and arsenic from water. Its active surface coating oxidizes and precipitates soluble iron and manganese. Hydrogen sulfide is oxidized to a sulfur. The precipitates are filtered out in the granular bed and removed by backwashing. MARIS MEDIA® consists of a lightweight granular core with a coating of manganese dioxide. The coating provides an example of contact filtration where the media itself provides the oxidizing potential. This allows for a much broader range of operation than many other iron removal medias. A pH level as low as 6.2 can be treated. Dissolved oxygen is not essential. The media's light weight reduces backwash water requirements. When the oxidizing power of MARIS MEDIA® is reduced, the bed has to be regenerated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate (KMn04), thus restoring its oxidizing capacity. A regenerating solution of 1.5 to 2 ounces (dry weight) of potassium permanganate per cubic foot is sufficient for normal regeneration. Upon start-up, a new bed should be backwashed with caution taken to ensure that the lightweight media is not backwashed to drain. A new bed should be regenerated the evening of installation. Operating the filter after its oxidizing capacity is exhausted will reduce its service life and may cause staining. MARIS MEDIA® requires either intermittent or continuous regeneration to maintain its oxidizing capacity. A solution of potassium permanganate, or chlorine then potassium permanganate, can be pre-fed to maintain capacity. In the latter case, the manganese dioxide coating acts as a catalyst to enhance the oxidization reaction and as a buffer to reduce any excess potassium permanganate concentration. This will prevent it from entering the service lines. Addition of other chemicals to influent or backwash water which contacts MARIS MEDIA® may inhibit iron, manganese, or hydrogen sulfide removal, or may break down or coat MARIS MEDIA®. Before adding any chemical to the influent or backwash water, other than chlorine or potassium permanganate, the chemical's compatibility with MARIS MEDIA® should be thoroughly tested.