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Symptoms of Iron
Iron can cause the following problems at levels as low as 0.3 mg/L: |
- Reddish or red-brown stains on porcelain and clothing
- Yellow water
- Metallic taste
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Background on Iron
Iron is the second-most common problem in water, after hardness. Unlike hardness, iron can exist in many different forms, each of which may require different water treatment for its removal. Types of iron include: |
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Soluble.
Also known as ferrous iron or clear water iron, this type of iron exists in water as an ion, somewhat like calcium and magnesium. It is most common in private wells, and not usually found in public water supplies. A softener or oxidizing filter usually can remove this type of iron. |
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Particulate.
Also known as oxidized iron or simply, rust, this type of iron exists as solid particles. It sometimes is present in private well water, and is the most common type of iron in public water supplies. If the particles are too small to be filtered with a standard media or cartridge filter, they can be classified as “colloidal” particles, which require coagulation to make the particles larger and filterable. |
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Organic bound.
Some water supplies contain dissolved organic matter that can bind to the iron, preventing its removal by normal softening, oxidizing, or particulate filtering methods. Instead, activated carbon or special resins are used to remove the dissolved organic material, and the bound iron is removed along with the organic material. |
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Iron bacteria.
Iron bacteria are living organisms that feed on iron in the water and on iron in wells, piping, tanks, and iron fixtures. They build slime in toilet water closets and clog pipes, pumps, water heaters and appliances. Bad tastes and odors in the water supply are often common with the presence of iron bacteria. Often, some of this slime material breaks free in slugs at high flow rates, causing extremely discolored water. Larger clumps can cause plugging of fixtures. Bacterial iron can be identified by a reddish slime-like material in the toilet flush tank. |
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Treatment Options
A water analysis shows only the total iron level in the water. To determine the type(s) of iron present, testing must be done on-site. Your Culligan Man® can perform this analysis free of charge. |
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