How to Remove Iron From Well Water

It is very common for private and community well water to contain iron and other minerals. Elevated levels of iron in your water can often cause unpleasant tastes, stain sinks, tubs and clothing, and damage appliances leading to costly repairs. Let’s dive deeper into why it’s essential to effectively remove excess iron from well water.

Why Is There Iron in Well Water?

Most private wells draw their water from underground aquifers within the earth’s crust. This groundwater is usually exposed to iron from a variety of sources, some of the most notable of which are as follows:

• Naturally occurring iron — which is one of the most prevalent elements within the earth’s crust — may enter the groundwater from iron-bearing soil and rock that host the aquifer.
• Corroded or damaged steel piping may rust, causing iron to enter the water passing through it. Badly corroded buried pipes might also leach iron into the soil which can seep into the groundwater below.
• Industrial waste may contain a variety of minerals, impurities and contaminants that enters groundwater sources when not disposed of properly.
• Agricultural activities utilizing industrial fertilizers often contain iron that can seep into the groundwater when applied to crops.

Iron in drinking water is not a Primary Contaminant regulated by the EPA. As a Secondary Contaminant, community wells and other municipal water systems are typically not subject to drinking water regulations regarding iron.

Similarly, private well supplies are not governed by the Safe Drinking Water Act with regard to iron, and therefore private well owners will need to manage their own well water treatment and sanitization. Without proper water treatment, including ion exchange and filtration, iron-bearing well water will cause a host of problems in your home’s plumbing system.

Is Iron in Well Water Dangerous?

Iron is an essential nutrient that people consume as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Levels of iron in drinking water are typically insufficient as a source of nutritional iron and should not be considered as such. The small amounts of iron in well water rarely poses substantial health risks to consumers. Excessive iron consumption can cause adverse health effects like liver damage and heart problems.

Moreover, iron in water can foster conditions that allow iron bacteria to thrive. This bacteria can lead to further issues in plumbing systems along with the taste and aesthetics of the water. Therefore, water testing and proper treatment identification is needed if you ensure your home and health are not impacted by iron issues in your water.

How to Identify Iron in Well Water

A few tell-tale signs of high iron in your well water include:

• Rust-colored stains on your sinks, tubs, clothes, dishes and even on your skin and hair.
• Buildup of mineral deposits on sinks and faucets.
• A metallic taste or foul odor that makes cooking with or drinking well water unpleasant.
• Cloudiness or discoloration that makes your water appear red, yellow, orange or brown.
• Small particles or flecks in the water that will usually sink to the bottom of a container.
• Clogged pipes that contain a foul-smelling sludge.

Types of Iron in Well Water

The iron within well water may take various forms. These include:

1. Ferric iron: Also known as “particulate iron” or “red water iron,” ferric iron is insoluble in water and often gives it a red or yellow color. You might also notice rust-colored flecks or particles in your water that sink to the bottom of the container.
2. Ferrous iron: Often called “clear water iron,” ferrous iron is fully dissolved in water. However, it will begin to oxidize after exposure to air, and particles will begin to appear. Therefore, it may leave deposits on appliances, stain clothes and cause other inconveniences.
3. Colloidal iron: Contains microscopically small, undissolved particles — may also exist in the water. It’s similar to ferrous and ferric iron, and may stain sinks and other surfaces.
4. Bacterial iron: When certain bacteria enter your water they can begin to feed on iron in the water creating a slime-like biofilm. This film usually appears as a thick, foul-smelling sludge that can easily clog wells, pumps and piping systems. Some of these bacteria may represent a health risk.

Various tests can help you check your well water for the presence of iron and other contaminants. However, iron contamination might not be obvious to the naked senses. Professional water testing is a more accurate way to determine whether you have an iron problem and determine appropriate solutions.

How Kinetico Removes Iron From Well Water

The unpleasant stains, smells, tastes and other problems associated with having iron in your well water are not something any family should suffer through. Kinetico offers a variety of solutions which can mitigate all iron problems.

1. Filtration Systems

Various filtration systems can help mitigate particulate iron within your well water. For example, sediment filtration often will remove ferric iron particles and other insoluble contaminants from the water. This results in clearer water and helps prevent your appliances from becoming stained.

They may also require relatively low maintenance beyond periodic filter changes. However, filters often are not good at removing dissolved ferrous iron from the water, meaning you might have to use a filtration system in conjunction with other water treatment methods.

Learn More About Kinetico’s Filtration Systems

2. Water Softeners (Ion Exchange)

Ion exchanges help “soften” your water by removing dissolved contaminants like ferrous iron that make the water “hard.” Softening water can have a number of household benefits, such as reducing strain on your appliances and preventing mineral deposits around faucets. In turn, you might be able to extend the life cycle of your appliances, reduce your utility bills and gain various other advantages.

Kinetico’s ion exchange systems use charged beads to attract contaminants and metals like iron and remove them from the water on a 24/7 basis. The beads are then flushed of the contaminants via a regeneration process that allows the process to start over again. That way, your home can continue to receive soft water on an ongoing basis.

Explore Ion Exchange Systems

3. Reverse Osmosis Systems

A reverse osmosis (RO) system can provide high levels of water purification far beyond those offered by standard fridge or sink filters. Using semi-permeable membranes, the RO system can help attract various contaminants like sediment, PFAS and iron and remove them from the water.

These systems are often very good at removing extremely fine particles, and may help cut down on the various types of iron in your water. Kinetico can implement reverse osmosis systems at individual faucets or on a whole-home basis, delivering clean, clear water wherever you need it.

View Kinetico Purification Systems

Depending on the nature and extent of the iron in your well, one or more of Kinetico’s systems may work best for your needs. The best place to start determining which options are best for you is with a free water analysis from one of our expert water quality consultants. During the test, we can check your water for the presence of ferrous, ferric and colloidal iron and then recommend which solutions are best for your household.

The Benefits of Removing Iron From Well Water

Whatever your chosen method of combatting iron in your well water, doing so can have advantages such as:

• Improved taste: The cleaner the water, the better it is likely to taste and smell. Less iron can likely help remove the tell-tale metallic scent from your water.
• Cleaner appliances and fixtures: Less iron often means fewer hard water stains, rust and mineral deposits on your appliances and around drains.
• Increased appliance lifespans: Hard water may cause dishwashers, washing machines and other appliances extra strain. The lower the levels of these contaminants, the better and longer these appliances might function.
• Healthier water: Reducing the amount of iron in your water can ensure that you aren’t putting too much into your body at once.

Well Water Maintenance and Prevention Tips

In addition to using various water filtration and purification solutions, there are several other things you can do to further manage iron, iron bacteria and other contaminants within your well water:

• Checking and changing your filters regularly
• Conducting periodic water tests
• Servicing and maintaining your equipment
• Scheduling yearly private well sanitization services or using a UV system to help kill bacteria and other contaminants

Trust Kinetico for Your Well Water Needs

Kinetico Advanced Water Systems has the expertise and solutions to provide exceptional water treatment and filtration options for whatever’s clouding your water. Schedule a free water analysis to see whether iron or other contaminants are present, or give us a call at (833) 202-2622.