Few thingsin life are more refreshing and healthy than an ice-cold glass of rust orangemetallic tasting water… You need iron in your diet, but not quite like that.Here is some useful information about how iron gets in your water, potentialhazards of it being there, and how to test for it.
How Iron Can Get into Your WellWater?
There are two ways iron can sneak intoyour well water…
Seepage: Waterfrom above the surface in the form of rain or melted snow travels through thesoil into the well’s water supply. Along the water’s path, iron within the soilmay dissolve into the water and follow it into the well.
Corrosion:Remember as a kid when you accidently left your bike outside in the rain and wokeup to find it a rusty mess? Something similar can occur within your wellcausing iron to enter the water. The casings and pipes leading to and from thewell are likely made of iron. When they are exposed to water and oxygen theiron can begin to deteriorate, causing the iron to oxidize, and form thenatural by-product rust. As water travels through the pipes the rust flakes offinto the water supply and subsequently into your tap and appliances.
What Are the Different Forms ofIron?
Iron typically appears within well water in two commonforms…
Ferric Iron “Red-Water Iron”: That lovely orangey-red watermentioned in the beginning of this article, is Ferric Iron. Ferric Iron isclear well water that has been exposed to oxygen, oxidized forming visible rust,giving the water a reddish color.
Ferrous Iron “Clear-Water Iron”:This form of iron cannot be seen in thewater because it is soluble, or can be dissolved in water. Ferrous Iron oftencomes from deeper wells or water sources.
Ferric and Ferrous Ironcan easily be confused so the best way to remember the difference is theirendings. Ferric ends in “I-C” because it is the iron you can see.
Are There Any Health Hazards Caused fromHaving Iron in My Water?
If you have concernsabout iron in your water supply, while it can be damaging to your water systemand appliances, serious effects on your health are unlikely. Iron is anessential component of the human diet for proper function and it is highly improbablethat you would consume a toxic amount solely through drinking water.
However, excessiveiron in water may have negative effects on your hair and skin. Wellwater often contains high levels of iron and other minerals. Once absorbed byyour hair, these contaminants will cause your hair to develop a darkerdiscoloration and become dry, brittle, and have an awful metallic odor. Heavyamounts of iron will tint light-colored hair orange and cause dark hair tobecome darker with red highlights. In addition, oxidized iron actuallyfunctions similarly to how a mild peroxide attacks the hair. It may cause anexcessive dry feeling in your hair and could even change your hair’s visibletexture. Inregard to your skin, iron can damage skin cells which may lead to wrinkles. Inaddition, dissolved minerals such as iron and magnesium will cause excessivesoap scum residue, clogging your pores, and leaving you with unattractive skinproblems such as acne or eczema.
More serious healthconsequences may result from iron bacteria, which are microscopic organismsthat feed off of iron. These creatures can leave behind iron waste, a grossslime that can stick to pipes and create an environment that harbors otherharmful bacteria and organisms. The EPA has not listed iron bacteria as acontaminant. However, the EPA does list iron as aSecondary Drinking Water Contaminant because the pathogenic organisms, which requireiron to grow, increase the risk for disease or infection when digested byhumans.
What Damaging Effects Does Iron Havein Well Water?
There may not be any consequences toyour health from the iron present in your well water but your appliances,dishes, laundry, and food will definitely pay the price.
Stains and Slime: One of the annoying repercussions of iron in well water are the stainsit leaves behind on your laundry, dishes, sinks, and bathtubs which are nearlyimpossible to remove. The stain will appear in a red, yellow, or brown colormaking all of those items look gross and unsanitary no matter how hard you tryto clean them.
Clogged Pipes: Sometimes when rust particles and iron fragments travel through yourwater supply they stop for extended periods of time. Once stagnant, the iron isable to accumulate inside the pipes of your water supply system as well as yourappliances. This can result in the need for expensive repairs in yourdishwashers, washing machines, sprinklers, and other water-related appliances.
Foul Taste and Smell: If you are trying to impress your date or spouse with yourculinary talents make sure you address the iron problem first. Iron in waterwill make even your best dishes and drinks have a disgusting metallic taste anda repulsive dark black color. This problem is especially prevalent withvegetables and other foods cooked in water.
How Can I Test for Iron and What AreAcceptable Iron Levels in Well Water?
If you are looking for an easy to use method to test for ironwith accurate results ITS has you covered. In only 30 seconds the WelleXact® EZ and eXact iDip® Photometer will provide you with precise, quick, and easy results.
Once you decide on your testing device, the next step is tounderstand what levels of iron are acceptable to have in your well water. Asmentioned earlier, the EPA lists Iron as a Secondary Drinking Water Contaminantwith a maximum contaminant level of 0.3 mg/L. According to the MinnesotaDepartment of Health, “a milligram per liter is approximately equal to 1 partper million (ppm).” Having levels above .3ppm of iron will increase thelikelihood of seeing damaging side effects to your appliances, clothing,dishes, and food.
Additional Sources:
http://www.pbwatersoftening.com/common-problems-from-having-iron-in-well-water/
http://www.pbwatersoftening.com/5-harmful-effects-high-levels-iron-water/
http://www.wellwaterguide.net/iron-well-water.aspx
https://idahowatersolutions.com/water-problems-solutions/iron-in-water-is-it-harmful/
http://www.garreltswater.com/water-quality/iron-bacteria/
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/wells/brochures.html
