Iron is a commonly occurring metal and makes up to 5% of the Earth’s crust. This means that the water you use will have traveled through plenty of soil and rock that contains iron before it gets to you. Along the way, it will pick up a proportion of that iron, causing a problem with your water if there is too much.
The human body requires some iron for various natural processes, but it does not easily absorb iron from water, obtaining most of its needs from food instead. Iron helps you to develop muscle metabolism and strong connective tissue, and the correct amount, normally recommended to be fourteen milligrams per day, is usually obtained from a balanced diet rather than from water. Too much iron, however, can cause gastrointestinal problems such as stomach pains and stomach upsets, especially in the very young.
Why You Need to Avoid Excess Iron in Water
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates iron as a secondary drinking water contaminant, causing no immediate reason for alarm. However, it does note that contaminants such as iron can also carry dissolved organic material, which is more of a concern since this can include bacteria. Consequently, this suggests a need to test water for iron at home.
The recommended maximum level of iron in water is 0.3 milligrams per liter, and around a quarter of well water is reckoned to exceed this level in some areas. Levels above the recommended maximum are unlikely to damage your health, but can have unpleasant consequences.
Signs that the level of iron in your water is too high include:
- your drinking water has a metallic taste
- pipes and appliances become clogged with a sludge so that the water flow decreases, and appliances become less effective
- your teeth become a more yellow color
- rust stains appear on faucets and appliances
- stains on newly washed dishes, clothes, and other items
- an unpleasant smell to your water, which indicates the presence of iron bacteria that need iron to survive
- soap and detergents are less effective and leave a soap scum.
Although excess iron may not harm your health, it spoils the taste and appearance of the water as well as food that is cooked in it. It will also shorten the life of various appliances and will necessitate attention to plumbing.
Testing for the Different Types of Iron in Water
Your water may contain different types of iron that have varying characteristics:
- Ferrous iron is the most difficult to detect since the water runs clear but leaves brown or reddish stains if left in a sink or bathtub
- Ferric iron turns the water red or yellow as it runs from the faucet
- Organic iron is usually yellow or brown in water, although sometimes colorless, and is often found in shallow wells or those affected by surface water.
Each of these types will require different treatments, so it is important to identify the one you have. You can conduct a test using a home iron test kit for water, where you do everything yourself, or you can use a laboratory for the test, which will be more expensive and take longer, but should produce results that are more accurate and comprehensive.
If you decide to use a home test, choose one that is approved by the EPA, since this will be the best iron water test strip and will avoid unreliable results. Ensure complete hygiene when conducting the test so you do not contaminate the water sample and give false results. Run the cold water at a cleaned faucet for two minutes to clear the pipes and take your sample. Then send this off to the laboratory or follow the instructions for your home test and assess the results.
What to Do Next: How to Deal with Iron in Your Water
If excess iron is detected, iron in well water solutions or for municipal water are not as urgent as for many other contaminants. The water is still fully usable, but it remains a problem that you need to deal with.
Treatment methods will vary depending on the type of iron you have, but will generally involve installing some form of whole-house filter system, so all your water has its iron removed:
- Ferrous iron can generally be removed with an iron filter or by chemical oxidation. However, the most reliable method is often to install a water softener that will typically remove 2-5 milligrams per liter and will also remove calcium and magnesium that cause hardness in water. Iron will tend to clog the resin used in the process, so frequent backwashing is necessary. A water softener will not be as effective in soft water, and so, if iron levels are particularly high, a manganese greensand filter may be better and can remove 10-15 milligrams per liter.
- Ferric iron has several possible treatments. A manganese greensand filter will remove 10-15 milligrams per liter, while sediment filters, carbon filters, and water softeners will remove a small amount of the iron but can be clogged by it. When iron levels exceed 10 milligrams per liter, injecting air (aeration) or adding chlorine (chemical oxidation), followed by filtration, is usually effective.
- Organic iron is the most difficult to treat since it slows or prevents iron oxidation, reducing the effective working of water softeners, aeration systems, and iron filters. One option is chemical oxidation followed by filtration, although reverse osmosis systems can effectively remove any type of iron despite it tending to clog the process and needing regular cleaning.
Iron is not particularly a threat to health, except in the very young, but it can be a nuisance and will harm your plumbing system and appliances if present in excess quantities. It is advisable to reduce it to the recommended levels and to do this as quickly and effectively as possible. If you need advice on the best way to do this, contact us at Aqua Clear Water Systems.
