Basic Tips For Addressing Too Much Iron In Your Well Water
Problems with your well water can be a troubling experience to go through. In addition to causing concern about health problems, you may also find that your water is unpleasant to use. Having iron in the well's water is a fairly common problem, and there are some tips that may help you with addressing this fairly common water problem.
Know The Warning Signs Of Having Iron In Your Water
Luckily, there are some warning signs that will alert you to the presence of too much iron in your water. One of the more common will be staining of your plumbing fixtures. These stains occur from the iron particles corroding, which will make them a distinctive red color. Additionally, you may find that the water develops a foul taste or unpleasant odor. This issue can often be traced to bacteria that feed on the iron particles. Unfortunately, it can be common for iron problems to worsen as time progresses, so you will want to take corrective action as soon as it is practical.
Have The Water Tested To Determine The Best Treatment Option
The initial step that you take to correct this problem should be to have the water professionally tested. In addition to confirming the presence of excess iron, these tests will also alert the technician to the presence of iron consuming bacteria, and they can provide insight into the concentrations of iron in the water. Both of these pieces of information are necessary to devise an effective plan for combating this problem. For example, if iron-eating bacteria are present, it will be necessary to filter these organisms out of the water. In instances where the iron levels are especially high, it might be best to use an air delivery system to pump oxygen into the well water. This will corrode the iron particles, which can make them easier to filter out of the water.
Regularly Test For The Presence Of Iron
Unfortunately, if your well has developed a serious iron problem once, it will likely be more susceptible to this problem in the future. Therefore, you should make sure to regularly test the water for the presence of excess iron. When performing these tests, you will want to take samples from both the well and your home's interior plumbing. Furthermore, you should keep detailed records of the results of these tests so that you can easily compare the way that the iron levels change over time.
