Though it isnt instantly a hazard to your health or wellbeing it is what is called an aesthetic contaminant. In drinking-water supplies ironII salts are unstable and are precipitated as insoluble ironIII.

How To Remove Iron From Well Water Fresh Water Systems

Iron in water often comes from corrosion of underground iron pipes.

High iron levels in well water. Iron makes up five percent of the earths core and as such it is present in a lot of different sources of water. This condition is usually the result of a gene mutation that afflicts about one million people in the United States. If you are among the estimated 43 million Americans who rely on private wells for drinking water there is a good chance that your water contains high levels of iron.

Besides hardness high iron levels in water is the most common problem well owners deal with. When iron exceeds these levels the taste and color of the water can be affected giving water a metallic flavor or odor and a red brown or yellow cast that can stain dishes laundry and fixtures. This difficulty is due to the fact that iron can be found in well water in several forms each of which may require a different water treatment for removal or control.

Basically it can make your water taste and smell bad and can damage your appliances. Iron or manganese bacteria is a common problem when there are elevated levels of iron or manganese in water. Food cooked in water with iron may become discolored and have an odd flavor too.

The amount of iron in regular tap water is so minute however you probably wont get sick. Iron allows red blood cells to deliver oxygen to all cells and tissues in your body. However you could not drink enough water to consume toxic levels of iron.

Iron in Well Water Well Management Program. In some cases iron can also result from corrosion of iron or steel well casing or water pipes. Iron overload usually is caused by the disease hemochromatosisIt is a genetic disease caused by a change mutation in a gene that is important in limiting the absorption of iron from the intestine.

Iron concentrations in natural waters usually remain below 10 ppm but you may encounter higher concentrations. High iron makes drinking water coffee and teas taste metallic. Iron Levels in Water.

Iron is one of the most abundant elements on earth. With the right water filter however you can remove iron from your well water quickly and easily. What causes high levels of iron in water.

A high level of iron is certainly unpleasant. These bacteria unlike other bacteria such as e-coli or total coliform do not pose a health risk but they are often the cause of blackish or reddish slime that builds up in toilet tanks or within the pipes within your water system. Iron can leave unsightly stains on fabrics and fixtures such as sinks and toilets.

Iron is also a naturally occurring element in nature meaning youll have some in your drinking water. And since the EPA does not regulate private wells or impose mandatory standards or criteria for individual wells you are solely responsible for the safety of your water. It is possible for you to get too much iron through your diet but ingesting too much iron through your drinking water is not associated with adverse health effects.

However hemochromatosis is a hereditary condition and drinking well water with high concentrations of iron cannot give you the disorder. Hemochromatosis can lead to lethargy weight loss and confusion and cirrhosis of the liver. High levels of iron can be fatal but the amount found in drinking water is typically too low to be dangerous.

The Forms of Iron within Well Water. The three types of iron found in well water Three different types of iron can lurk in your well water. Well water often contains high levels of iron and other minerals.

The EPA sets the limit for healthy levels of iron as 03 mgL but even lower levels can cause some of the problems mentioned above. However excessive iron in water may have negative effects on your hair and skin. Is iron In Well Water Harmful.

Your water shouldnt have more than 03 milligrams iron to liter of water. The current recommended levels of iron in well water varies slightly by state but they range between 2 and 1 mgl. Some soil and rocks in Minnesota contain minerals very high in iron.

Human bodies require iron to function properly but iron like many substances is toxic at high dosages. Its also more common if you have a private water source such as a well. In well-water iron concentrations below 03 mglitre were characterized as unnoticeable whereas levels of 033 mglitre were found acceptable E.

However while chronically consuming large amounts of iron can lead to a condition known as iron overload. If you have well water or water from a private source it isnt subject to federal control and therefore could have more iron. Some filters like water softeners are ideal for removing mild traces of iron while others like reverse osmosis filters are better at removing many minerals and harmful substances.

Iron from the surrounding soil can seep in when the soil is saturated. The Environmental Protection Agency considers iron in well water as a secondary contaminant which means it does not have a direct. Choose a treatment method based on the amount and type of iron in your well water.

As rain falls or snow melts on the land surface and water seeps through iron-bearing soil and rock iron can be dissolved into the water. Dahi personal communication 1991. If an individual is homozygous for a mutated gene that is mutated genes are found on both chromosomes that contain the gene iron absorption from the intestine is abnormally increased.

Iron Problems in Well Water After hardness in well water iron is the most common water problem dealt with by homeowners with well waterUnfortunately iron is also difficult to treat to a satisfactory level. Threshold value was 012 mglitre. Once absorbed by your hair these contaminants will cause your hair to develop a darker discoloration and become dry brittle and have an awful metallic odor.

It is an essential element for humans and it is used in a variety of industrial processes. It is also found in drinking water. If there are high levels of iron in your water it will likely have a metallic taste and not be clear.

Because of these effects the Environmental Protection Agency sets the secondary maximum contaminant level for iron at 03 parts per million. There are three common forms of iron which can be found in well water supplies.