Groundwater in the St. Charles area is inundated with a wide variety of contaminants. These contaminants can vary from chemicals, to minerals, to bacteria, with one of the most prominent being iron. Iron is particularly prominent in well water, as, unlike municipal water, well water is not yet treated.
Do you use a well as your main source of water? Wondering how iron may be affecting your water? Then read below. This St. Charles water softening and purification company has all the information you’ll need to know.
Is It Common for Iron to Be in Water?
Soil is dense with iron, regardless of where that soil is located. In fact, iron is the 4th most common mineral on the planet, meaning that it’s almost impossible to avoid. Therefore, as you might expect, a good amount of groundwater contains excess amounts of iron particles.
However, just because most groundwater contains excess amounts of iron particles doesn’t mean that all water supplies do. Generally speaking, municipal water supplies are treated. As such, they contain only trace amounts of iron. Well water supplies, on the other hand, almost always contain high amounts of iron.
Indications of Iron in Water
Wondering whether you have excess iron in your water supply? All you have to do is look out for a few indications. These include the following.
The Taste of Metal
A sure sign of excess iron in water is the taste of metal. This is a semi-sour taste that’s generally regarded as unappetizing. Though there are other minerals that can cause this taste, the most common mineral to cause it is undoubtedly iron.
Red/Orange Stains
Do you ever find reddish-orangish stains on your shower walls or shower curtains? If so, it’s likely due to iron. Once iron particles oxidize, they turn the color of rust, presenting themselves on everything that they come into contact with. As such, if your water-exposed items are stained with a red or orange tint, you almost certainly have excess iron in your water.
Reduced Water Pressure
Another sign to look out for is reduced water pressure. Though it’s not necessarily the culprit, excess iron could be clinging onto the interior of your water pipes, reducing the amount of space where water can flow through. Other culprits could be calcium, magnesium, manganese, or pressure valve issues.
Can You See Iron in Water?
Are you wondering if you can actually see iron particles in your water? When it’s running out of a faucet or a shower head, the answer is “no.”
That said, once the water around the area dries, it often presents itself — generally in its oxidized form. As was noted above, oxidized iron possesses a reddish-orangish tint and can typically be found on shower curtains or shower walls.
Removing Iron from Water
The good news is that you can easily remove iron from a water supply. In fact, there are a number of different ways to do so, all of which involve installing a water softening or purification system in your home.
A non-chemical way to remove iron is to use an iron filtration system. Chemical methods include hydrogen peroxide injection systems and chlorine injection systems. You can learn more about your options by contacting your local water purification company!
Need the Help of a St. Charles Softening and Water Purification Company?
Are you dealing with excess iron in your water? Need the help of a St. Charles water purification company? If so, DuPage Water Conditioning is the company to call.
Our highly trained purification specialists know everything there is to know about removing iron from water, and we would be more than happy to assist you.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!