Is Iron in Drinking Water Dangerous?
Iron in Tap Water is considered more of an aesthetic contaminant, affecting the taste and appearance, rather than producing any detrimental health effect. Soluble (or “clear water”) iron manifests when a glass of water is allowed to stand, and reddish brown particles will appear in the glass and eventually settle to the bottom. Insoluble iron can be seen as red or yellow color as soon as it is poured into the glass.
Iron presents one additional challenge as certain bacteria actually consume it, leaving a reddish brown or yellow slime that can clog plumbing and cause an offensive odor. You may notice this slime or sludge in your toilet tank when you remove the lid. The approach to solving an iron problem will depend on whether it is soluble or insoluble, and may include aeration, filtration, ion exchange, and the addition of sequestering agents.
If you suspect problems with Iron, make sure you check with your local water utility and a water professional. If you have no noticeable problems, there may still be something lurking in your water you don’t see. Make sure you are using your water filters and water filter system wherever you go. Nothing is more basic than pure, safe drinking water.
