That ugly orange-brown staining in your sink? The metallic taste from your faucets? They’re tell-tale signs of a common but problematic issue: high iron levels in your household water.
While iron itself isn’t dangerous, high concentrations can cause real problems for your home’s plumbing and fixtures, and create an unpleasant taste and smell. Left ignored, iron deposits can build up over time and cause major headaches.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the risks of iron in your water, and explain professional solutions to clear it up for good. You don’t have to live with rusty, stained fixtures and foul-tasting water – we can help.
How Iron Gets Into Your Water
Iron occurs naturally in soil, rocks, and groundwater. When groundwater is used for drinking water supplies – like wells and springs – it often contains dissolved iron. The older or deeper the well, the more dissolved iron may be present.
Iron can also leach into water from corrosion of iron pipes. Many older homes have galvanized steel or cast iron supply pipes and plumbing fixtures that have been slowly corroding over the decades. As these pipes and fittings rust, they release iron particles into the water.
In addition, iron may enter the water supply through corrosion of pumps, wells, and tank linings. Industrial waste and pollution can contribute excessive iron to local water sources.
The Extent of the Problem
Iron is one of the most abundant metals on earth, so it’s not surprising that it’s a common contaminant in groundwater. An estimated 10% of the United States population is affected by some level of iron in their home’s water supply.
Levels as low as 0.3 mg/L will cause staining and foul tastes. Concentrations above 1-3 mg/L can start to cause more severe issues like scale buildup and bacterial growth. In extreme cases, deep wells tapping iron-rich bedrock can have iron levels over 50 mg/L.
Testing is the only way to determine for sure if iron is impacting your water quality. At a minimum, have your well or water supply tested every 3-5 years for any changes in iron levels.
The Risks to Your Home
Stubborn Stains
The most obvious effect of iron in water is the stubborn reddish-brown stains it leaves behind. Iron deposits will discolor toilet bowls, sinks, bathtubs, and showers. Laundry washed in iron-rich water can take on a permanent yellowish tint. Dishes will emerge from your dishwasher with an unappealing film.
These stains are difficult to remove with cleaning alone. And even if you manage to scrub them away, the iron deposits will quickly return without the proper filtration. The staining worsens over time as more iron accumulates.
Clogged Pipes and Appliances
In addition to staining, iron particles in the water supply can build up as sediment that restricts your home’s water flow. Over time, iron deposits collect in pipes, hot water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, and other water-using appliances.
This sediment buildup leads to reduced water pressure from clogged pipes. Appliances become less efficient and more likely to fail as vital components get fouled up. You may notice lower hot water pressure as sediment accumulates inside your water heater.
It Can “Feed” Iron Bacteria
There are certain types of bacteria that actually feed on iron for nutrients. These so-called “iron bacteria” use the iron to create slimy reddish-brown deposits inside your plumbing.
While iron bacteria pose no health risks, the slimy film they produce can clog pipes, wells, sprinkler systems, and plumbing equipment. Removing iron bacteria buildup requires intensive mechanical cleaning.
The film also causes a nasty odor, and can lead to blackened water if a pocket of bacteria gets disturbed. Iron bacteria is a clear sign your system requires disinfection.
The Risks to Your Health
The levels of iron normally found in drinking water are not hazardous to your health. However, iron can impact the taste, clarity, and color of water coming from your taps.
Water with high iron content will have a foul, metallic taste that makes drinking and cooking unpleasant. It can take on a cloudy, reddish-orange hue. High iron gives water an earthy smell, similar to rotten eggs or sewage.
Iron particles can also dry out your skin and hair. Rust-colored water contains little mineral oil, leaving you with itchy skin and split ends over time.
In rare cases, very high iron concentrations allow iron bacteria to flourish, which poses some risk if directly ingested. Generally, keeping iron levels under the EPA’s Secondary Standard of 0.3 mg/L minimizes health risks.
Our Professional Solutions for Iron Problems
If your home’s water supply contains more than 0.3 milligrams of iron per liter, it’s time to consider adding water treatment. The extent of iron removal required depends on the type and concentration of iron.
Water Softening Systems
Water softeners are useful for reducing levels of ferrous iron up to 2-3 mg/L. Softening removes some dissolved iron, but is most effective for particulate iron. The ion exchange process traps iron particles and prevents them from reaching pipes and fixtures.
Look for a softener rated specifically for iron removal. Maintenance includes periodic cleaning of the brine tank and replacing the ion exchange resin.
Oxidizing Filters
An oxidizing filter converts dissolved ferrous iron into ferric oxide particles. These particles are caught in the filter as the water flows through. Oxidizing filters work well for water supplies up to 5-8 mg/L of dissolved iron. They require an occasional backwash to flush out trapped particles.
Chemical Injection Systems
Chemical injection is the most thorough treatment method for dissolved iron up to 10 mg/L. Chemical feeders dose the incoming water supply with an oxidizer, like potassium permanganate. This forces the iron to form particles, which are then filtered out.
Submicron Filtration Solutions
Extremely high iron levels call for submicron filtration combined with chemical oxidation. These systems filter down to 0.35 microns to remove oxidized iron particles. Submicron filters can treat over 30 mg/L of iron with the proper pre-treatment. But they do require frequent backwashing and replacement.
Other Considerations
Secondary effects of iron like staining, fouling, and bacteria growth can persist even after installing filtration. You may need additional water softening or disinfection to maximize results.
Professional installation, maintenance and monitoring is advised for any whole-house filtration system. Our qualified technicians handle all aspects from start to finish.
Start Fresh with Clean, Clear Water
Iron staining, scale buildup, and foul tastes shouldn’t be considered “normal” for your household water. We offer professional water testing to determine the level of iron in your water supply. Based on the results, we recommend the right filtration method for your situation.
Contact us to schedule an appointment with our certified water quality experts. We’ll troubleshoot your iron issues and explain water treatment solutions for your home or business. You don’t have to live with rusty, rotten-tasting water – call us today to start fresh with clean, clear water straight from the tap.
Ready to Learn More? Call Us Today
Iron in household water can lead to unpleasant tastes and odors, staining of fixtures, scale buildup, and bacterial growth if left untreated. While not a major health concern, high iron levels create a nuisance and gradually damage your plumbing system.
Professional water testing is the first step to diagnose iron issues. From there, various water filtration and conditioning solutions can remove both dissolved and particulate iron. Whole-house systems prevent stains and clogs throughout your plumbing.
Don’t live with rusty water any longer. Contact the experts today to explore your treatment options and breathe new life into your water supply.