Does Your Home’s Water Have High Iron Levels? Antunes Addresses Home Water Quality

Does your Home’s Water have High Iron Levels?

Solutions that can help you reduce iron in your home’s water

High amounts of iron in a water source is always a nuisance. In the United States, iron is one of the most common water problems. Iron can occur in water in several forms that may require different solutions for removal and can cause a variety of problems in your home. If you think your home’s water might have high concentrations of iron, don’t worry – it’s a common issue and Antunes Water has several solutions for you to defeat your pesky iron situation.

Where does Iron come from and Who has Issues with High Iron in Water?

Iron is plentiful across the surface of the Earth with some areas having such high levels of iron that the soil has a distinctive red color. Iron enters natural water sources primarily through contact with iron ore deposits in the ground that leach into the water supply. Small amounts of iron can also enter a water supply through corrosion of pipes as water travels through them. Iron is present on some level in almost every water source but is usually present in higher concentrations in ground water sources than in surface water sources. Additionally, municipal water often has a significant portion of the iron removed at the treatment facility. For this reason, water with the highest concentration of iron is usually found in private wells. The EPA defines iron as an aesthetic contaminant with a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.30 ppm (0.30 mg/l), though private wells often exceed that amount.

Types of Iron and Iron Problems in Water

Iron can occur in several forms, but the most common are the inorganic forms of iron, ferric and ferrous. Ferric iron is undissolved particulate iron that is usually bonded to oxygen forming ferric oxide. Ferric iron is sometimes called red-water iron because it is often visibly red or brown in the water when a sample is drawn but can also appear yellow. Ferrous iron is dissolved in water and occurs under specific conditions that make it the most common type of iron found in private well supplies. Ferrous iron is sometimes called clear-water iron because it can be present in significant amounts without causing discoloration. Ferrous iron will usually be converted to ferric iron after being drawn and as the air oxidizes the iron. Both forms of iron can cause significant staining of anything the water encounters, including fixtures, laundry, and dishes. Iron contamination can also give your water an unappealing taste and appearance.  

A less common but more problematic form of iron is organically bound iron. Bacteria interact with this form of iron to create organic molecules that will result in the formation of sludge. A telltale sign of organically bound iron is slime build up in a toilet’s flush tank. Organically bound iron and its associated bacteria often create foul tasting water with an unpleasant odor and can be very difficult to control.

What is the Solution to High Levels of Iron in Water?

There are several methods for reducing iron in a water source, but to solve all the problems that high levels of iron can cause, you will need a whole home iron reduction system. Antunes Water Whole House Water Softening Systems can reduce ferrous (dissolved) iron that is lower than 0.30 mg/l, and filtration systems such as the VZN Ultrafiltration System can reduce ferric (undissolved) iron that is larger than 0.015 microns. However, some sources of water will require a dedicated point-of-entry iron filter. Antunes Water now offers a Whole Home Iron Filter with Birm media that can provide up to 15 gallons of water per minute with a high iron removal efficiency. The cutting-edge technology of the Birm media doesn’t require any chemical feed or salt, has a long lifespan, and does not need to regenerate. With multiple size options available, the Antunes Water Iron Filter is the perfect solution for your home’s iron contamination problems.

If you have any concerns about the iron in your water, it’s a good idea to have your water tested with an Antunes Water Analysis Kit. You can also reach out to us with any questions by emailing us directly at questions@antuneswater.com.