Iron, represented by Fe on the
periodic table, is considered one of the most common elements in the world. Not
only is it a necessary mineral in the human diet, its presence is abundant in
much of the water supply in Canada. Although iron is an essential element, it
can create problems in your residence and business when present in the water
you drink and use.
If you are experiencing any of
the following signs, you may have too much iron in your water and may consider
an iron filter:
- Rust stains on toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and
other plumbing fixtures.
- Rust coloured stains on clothes that have been
through a laundry cycle.
- Marks on floors or walls washed with water that
may be confused with water stains.
- Metallic taste in water or water-based beverages
like coffee or tea.
Iron is more commonly found
when well water is the source, but it can be present in almost any Canadian
water source. Unfortunately, there is not a guaranteed rule stating where iron
is present in water. Proximity does not even play a role; sometimes two
neighboring wells can contain different amounts of iron in water. If you are
concerned about the possibility of iron in your drinking water and are
experiencing the aforementioned signs, contact your local water professional,
the Culligan Man. He can test your water for iron to suggest the best way to
enhance the quality of your drinking water including iron filters and other
water conditioning treatments.
In water, you will find three
types of iron: dissolved iron, particulate iron, and organic bound iron.
Dissolved iron is iron
dissolved in water completely. It is the most common type of iron
containment found in well water.
Particulate iron is when the
iron-based containment is literally floating about in the water as little
particles. Particulate iron contains 2 sub-types: filterable iron and colloidal
iron. Filterable iron is made up of particles large enough to be filtered from
the water. Colloidal iron is made up of very small rust particles which are
removable using different methods.
Organic bound iron is the
third and final type of iron found in water. Organic bound iron is usually
found with tannins, or humic acid, in the water. The presence of these tannins
is usually noticed by odor or taste. The presence of tannins is also
verifiable with laboratory water testing. In order to remove these
tannins from your water, specific treatment solutions are required.
Each of these types can be
tested, and effectively reduced in your residence or business through an iron
water filter.
Your local Culligan Man water
professional possesses the knowledge, skills and products to help identify what
is in your water and how to reduce contaminants when needed and enhance the
quality of your water. For your convenience, you can find a Culligan Man
in your local area to efficiently meet your water needs.
*These contaminants may not be
present in your water.
