Iron staining in a shower/Photo courtesy of P. Vela
Iron is a metal that is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and a common component of the geologic materials that make up sand & gravel and bedrock aquifers. It is found as a dissolved constituent in groundwater almost universally because of the chemical interactions between groundwater and aquifer materials that make up an aquifer.
Iron is an essential part of a healthy diet, it helps transport oxygen in our blood, and is not considered to be a health risk. Iron is listed as a secondary contaminant by the USEPA because it can cause staining, taste, or odor issues. In addition, when it reacts with air it can form a solid that can build up in your home water system, which typically appears as a rust colored chalky solid. Iron is commonly treated and removed from water.
What are the effects of iron in well water?
Staining – Reddish-orange stains in toilets, sinks, tubs (porcelain), and clothes.
Taste – Excessive iron in drinking water can give it a metallic taste and can affect the taste of drinks made with the water or food cooked/boiled in the water.
Odor – Iron serves as a food source for some bacteria that exist in the soil and in groundwater. These bacteria form biofilms (slime layers) in a well and/or water system that gives off an objectionable odor.
Iron oxide buildup – When dissolved iron in water has access to oxygen, it reacts to form iron oxide, the reddish-orange/brown/black stains you might see on porcelain or clothes. Iron oxide is a solid that can form scale on pipes that have water running through them, or clog well components where air is introduced to the well when pipes are not kept full (like below the check valve on a drop pipe).
When should I test for iron in my well water?
The USEPA recommends removing iron if greater than 0.3 milligrams per liter (mg/l) to prevent these issues from occurring in the water coming into your home. A water test for metals will provide information on the levels of iron in your water. To ensure you are protecting your family’s health, we have developed a set of recommendations for testing that are provided in our article, "What do I need to know about sampling my well water?" , that includes iron. When testing your well water you will very rarely be testing for only one thing — like iron — and instead testing for a suite of constituents that are important to identify if in your drinking water.
For issues related to iron bacteria that may be in your well, treating in your home will not help. Removing these bacteria and any biofilms that may have accumulated in your well will require disinfection and possibly mechanical removal by a well contractor. These themselves bacteria are not a health risk, but unfortunately, they are persistent and likely to come back over time because they are part of the natural groundwater system.
What treatment should I use if there is iron in my well water?
How do I remove iron from my water?
Once you test and have decided to treat your water to remove iron, the Minnesota Department of Health has developed a great guide on Iron in Well Water that discusses treatment options based on the form of iron in your water. They also have a Home Water Treatment Guide that covers treatment for any common constituent in well water. The most important advice we can provide you is if you are going to add treatment to your home water system, be sure the treatment device has been certified to remove iron by an independent third-party certification organization.
Where can I get local help and information about iron in my well water?
Contact your local health department – They can help you interpret your sample results and may have information on the best treatment options for your situation. If they personally aren’t able to answer your questions, they will know who to contact who will be able to help you, likely at your state health department.
Contact a water treatment professional – We would recommend contacting a water treatment professional who has been certified through the Water Quality Association’s Professional Certification Program.
State or Federal Geologic or Water Resource Agency – They may have completed field studies of your area or collected samples from water wells to map and understand the water quality in your state. In addition, they may house water well logs, including yours, or be able to provide additional information about the aquifer your well is getting water from.
Consult your well driller or drilling contractor – The contractor that drilled your well, and other local contractors, may be aware of the water quality issues nearby including high iron, and might have worked with other well owners in your area to solve this issue.
Research online – You should be inquisitive; it will help you significantly because there can be great information available online. Use search terms like “my state (CA, ME, IL, etc.) water well logs,” “my state groundwater quality,” or “my state well water quality.”
Contact us directly – If these other local sources don’t work out for you, we may be able to help. We may be able to provide direct assistance, and/or direct you to a technical assistance provider in your area who can help answer your questions (This is a free service funded by USEPA).
Additional Resources
Secondary Drinking Water Standards: Guidance for Nuisance Chemicals. US Environmental Protection Agency.
Artiola, J., Farrell-Poe, K., and Uhlman, K., Water Facts: Home Water Treatment Options, September 2009, Arizona Cooperative Extension.
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