Iron in groundwater poses no health risks, but extreme levels can cause aesthetic problems, such as an unsightly color, nasty taste or noxious odor. Contact your local public health department to determine if your region has advisories or regulations concerning the levels of iron in nearby groundwater, such as aquifers or private wells.
Function
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issues and enforces water quality standards for public water systems, but they do not apply to private water systems. The EPA issues two types of regulations. National Primary Drinking Water Regulations are legally enforceable standards that include dangerous chemical contaminants and organisms. Public drinking water supplies are subject to EPA inspections, so local authorities must test water regularly to ensure that dangerous contaminants don't exceed legal limits.
Iron
The EPA also issues National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations, which are nonenforceable guidelines. The contaminants included in these regulations do not pose a health risk, but they may cause negative cosmetic or aesthetic effects in drinking water. Iron is included in this secondary set of regulations. The EPA recommends that levels of iron stay below 0.3 mg per liter.
Significance
If iron levels exceed 0.3 mg per liter, your drinking water might have a rusty color, visible sediment or metallic taste. Also, contaminated water might stain your home's plumbing or other objects that come into contact with it red or orange. The EPA notes that methods for measuring odor and taste are subjective, so you might find that lower levels of iron in your drinking water make it unpleasant.
Iron Bacteria
Some bacteria thrive on iron. If you have an iron-bacteria contamination, a smelly biofilm might form, creating a reddish-brown or yellow slime that can clog your plumbing. Your risk of iron-bacteria contamination increases if your drinking water supply comes from a well water system in an area where the bacteria naturally occur in the soil.
Solution
If you have a private well, contact a reputable water testing laboratory to determine what type of iron contamination your water has and whether there is also a bacteria contamination. After that, hire a professional water treatment service to purify your water. Methods of removal depend on the type of iron contamination, but possible treatments include chlorination, filtration and ozonation. If your drinking water comes from a public water supply, contact local water authorities to determine if the problem is in your home's plumbing or in the public water supply itself.
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