Signs of Iron in Water: Should You Be Concerned?

Iron is a naturally occurring mineral that enters and accumulates in water supplies through runoff from rainwater or melted snow as it passes through iron-rich rocks and soil. Surface water, such as rivers and lakes, can contain dissolved iron. Corroded water pipes also directly release iron into water systems and homes.  While iron is vital for maintaining bodily functions, too much iron in water can lead to a range of issues. Excess iron in drinking water may not pose health risks, but it does have unpleasant consequences for your plumbing fixtures as well as the taste, appearance, and odor of your water. Understanding the signs of iron in water, its potential effects, and how to address it is crucial for ensuring your water remains high quality, especially if you rely on water from a private well. 

Is Iron in Water Harmful?

Iron is important for maintaining your health. This mineral helps the body produce hemoglobin, which allows red blood cells to carry and transport oxygen. Though excessive iron, which ranges from 40 to 45 mg per day, is harmful to human health, even water supplies with a lot of iron don’t typically surpass 10 mg per liter. That being said, too much iron in water can wreak havoc on your plumbing or affect your water’s aesthetics.  Iron bacteria is one of the more pressing concerns associated with too much iron in water. These microorganisms feed on iron, using it as an energy source. This bacteria can create problems in water systems, as the bacteria produce a reddish-brown or black slime that can clog pipes, well screens, and water pumps. 

What Is a Safe Level of Iron In Drinking Water?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has national secondary drinking water regulations for iron in drinking water. These non-enforceable guidelines are set for contaminants like iron that can cause cosmetic or aesthetic effects on drinking water. According to these recommendations, water with an iron level above 0.3 mg per liter is usually considered objectionable due to its impact on appearance, taste, and smell.  If you suspect high iron levels in your water, testing is essential to determine the exact concentration and choose an appropriate treatment method. Kind Water’s at-home water test and survey is a simple solution for private well owners. After sending your sample back, you’ll receive results in as little as three to four business days along with a custom recommendation from our experts on how to address identified contaminants, including iron.    Shop Kind Water’s Water Test and Survey   

Signs and Symptoms of Too Much Iron in Water

There are several obvious signs of excess iron in water. Even without a test, you’ll likely notice some of these common indicators, especially if iron levels are high: 

• Metallic taste: Too much iron in water has a distinct unpleasant metallic taste.
• Discoloration: Excessive iron may cause water from the tap to appear yellow, brown, or red. This can leave stains on dishes, laundry, or fixtures. 
• Odor: High iron concentrations may cause water to smell rusty or even like sewage if iron bacteria is present. 
• Clogs: Iron can leave behind a sludge-like residue that clogs pipes, pumps, filters, and fixtures over time. 
• Altered food quality: Washing or cooking food with high iron can affect its taste and appearance. For instance, vegetables may darken and wilt when boiled in iron-rich water.

Smart Metered Chem-Free Iron, Manganese, and Sulfur Filter

How to Get Rid of Iron In Water

Treating water contaminated with iron requires targeted filtration or treatment systems designed to remove iron specifically. Not all filters are effective against iron or iron bacteria, so it’s crucial to select the right solution based on the type and concentration of iron in your water. Fortunately, Kind Water offers well water solutions for iron and iron bacteria.  Our chem-free iron filter addresses iron, manganese, and sulfur present in private well systems. The smart-metered tank harnesses oxygen from the air to oxidize and reduce these impurities. Kind Water’s system uses Katalox Light® media to enhance oxidation and mechanical filtration for excellent iron reduction.    Shop Our Smart Metered Chem-Free Iron, Manganese, and Sulfur Filter   Kind Water also offers a hydrogen peroxide system for private wells ridden with iron bacteria. These systems inject hydrogen peroxide into water to oxidize contaminants. Then, oxidized iron, manganese, and sulfur particles, as well as iron bacteria, are filtered out using activated carbon media. This system doesn’t add chemical byproducts into wells; only water and hydrogen molecules remain.    Shop Our Chemical Oxidation System with Backwashing Catalytic Carbon Filter