Iron in the water: advantages and disadvantages

Iron is a naturally occurring mineral present in almost all water supplies, whether provided by the municipality or drawn from a private well, and it has both beneficial and adverse effects. Small amounts of iron in the water contribute to the alkalinity of the water, making it more palatable, more nutritious, and easier to digest. However, high levels of iron in water can cause unwanted effects, such as red, yellow, or brown staining on appliances and in sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.

There are three types of iron that can be present in any water supply:

clear water iron It exists in small amounts in virtually all water supplies, but is usually not a problem. However, it can contribute to scale buildup on appliances and pipe walls in higher concentrations.

red water iron it is most often present in well water, but can also be a concern in certain city water supplies. Red iron in water is the cause of red rust stains in toilets, sinks and bathtubs and also creates a bad taste in drinking water.

Organic iron/bacteria it is a waste byproduct of microorganisms in the water and can be present in both city and well water. This type of iron also gives water a bad taste and causes brown stains on appliances, sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.

How to treat iron in water

Fortunately, there are some very effective solutions to problems caused by excessive iron levels. A standard water softener and reverse osmosis system will efficiently remove iron from clear water in most cases. If you have abnormally high concentrations of iron in clear water, any amount of iron in red water, or organic/bacterial iron, an iron reduction system presents a more effective solution.

Iron reduction systems work by “trapping” iron molecules in the water with the use of a special filter media made up of a mixture of calcite, corosex and sand. Trapped iron is held in the ore tank and then flushed down the drain during each backwash cycle.

These systems are very easy to maintain. All you need to do is simply replenish the filter media the same way you would salt in a water softener.