Clean drinking water is essential for your health, but the water coming from your faucet can contain harmful substances, such as iron. Fortunately, iron and other particles can be removed from your water with the use of filtering equipment. Below are four ways iron can affect your drinking water.

How Does Iron Affect Drinking Water?

1. Clogs

Water that’s rich in iron harbors a type of bacteria that can cause clogs to build up in your pipes over time. These naturally occurring bacteria eat away at the iron and leave behind a brownish substance that accumulates in pipes, water heaters, and appliances, slowing the flow of water. 

2. Taste & Color

When there’s an excess of iron in your water, the water can have a metallic taste and smell. It may be brown or rust-colored, and it may even contain small bits of sediment.

Iron-rich water will create rust stains in fixtures such as the sink, tub, and toilet, and it may stain laundry or dishes as it builds up in the hot water heater or pipes. Iron-rich water is often full of other minerals, resulting in “hard water.” These minerals can accumulate and harden in and around faucets, appliances, and cause soap scum to build up on tile. Hard water decreases the efficiency of cleansers, laundry soap, and even shampoo.

3. Health Impact

Iron overload can have negative health effects in some individuals, possibly causing stomach problems or triggering a rare genetic condition called hemochromatosis. It can also complicate diabetes and damage the liver, pancreas, and heart. 

While small amounts of iron in one’s diet are considered beneficial to help prevent conditions such as anemia, it should ideally come from other sources, such as vegetables and meat.

 

 

If you have issues with your home’s drinking water, count on AquaKlear Filtration LLC to install iron filtration products that will restore your water’s taste and quality. Their team of engineers has designed and installed water softening and purification systems since 2008. They’ll test your water to determine the best water quality solution for your needs. They serve the greater Boise, ID, area and Treasure Valley, Magic Valley, and Ada and Canyon counties. Call (208) 315-1565 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to learn more about their products and services.