Your drinking water isn’t always what it seems. Even when it looks crystal clear, there could be more going on beneath the surface, especially when it comes to naturally occurring elements like iron. While iron is essential for human health in small amounts, high levels in your tap water can lead to staining, unpleasant tastes and wear on your plumbing or appliances over time.
Understanding what’s in your water is the first step toward protecting your home and your wellness. This guide breaks down the basics of iron contamination, how to identify the warning signs, and what testing options are available to help you take action with confidence.
Here’s what to know about iron water contamination and testing.
Common iron water problems
Although iron is necessary for many natural processes in the human body, high iron intake can have significant health effects. Fortunately, the amount of iron typically found in food and water isn’t dangerous to the human body.
Here are a few key things to know about iron in water:
How does iron get into drinking water?
Iron makes up at least 5% of the Earth’s crust. When rainwater passes through soil and rock, the water can pick up iron and carry it along. This water ends up in aquifers, lakes, rivers and other sources of municipal water supplies and private wells.
What is iron poisoning?
Iron poisoning occurs when an extremely high dose of iron is consumed. This is most prevalent in children and usually occurs when one takes an excessive quantity of iron supplements or iron-containing medications. The symptoms include stomach upset, abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal disturbances, as iron can corrode the intestinal lining.
Does all tap water have iron?
Not all tap water has iron in it, but it is common, with amounts often depending on the geographical location and source of your water supply. For example, iron may be more prevalent in tap water in areas where groundwater is a water source or aging pipes are present in the infrastructure. In some places, levels are minimal and go unnoticed; in others, especially homes with private wells, iron can show up in higher amounts and cause visible issues like staining or discoloration.
Signs of iron in water
The good news about iron water contamination is that it has a few telltale signs.
When iron concentrations exceed recommended guidelines, you may start to see evidence of its presence. These signs can include:
- Rust-like stains in sinks and tubs
- A metallic taste in drinking water
- Red, yellow or brown stains on dishes, laundry and more
- Clogged wells, pumps and more
- Brow or reddish staining on teeth
What are iron stains?
Iron stains, also known as rust stains, are a frustrating side effect of iron in your water. They often show up over time, even when water looks clear at first. You might notice them on clean laundry, dishes, tubs, or anywhere water collects.
Iron water testing
While iron levels in water rarely impact your health, they can be bad news for your plumbing, fixtures and water-using appliances. For that reason, it’s important to have regular water quality tests.
What are iron water tests?
Iron water tests give you a clearer picture of what’s in your water. They measure how much iron is present and help identify whether common issues like staining, metallic taste, or discoloration might be linked to elevated iron levels. It’s a simple step that can reveal a lot about your water quality.
How to test for iron in your water
The easiest way to test for iron in your water is to let a professional handle it.
This approach avoids guesswork and the need to interpret tricky results. A local water expert can take a quick sample and share clear results—often in 30 minutes or less. They’ll walk you through what those results mean for your home, including whether your iron levels are something to be concerned about. A water expert can also recommend the right water treatment solutions if it’s required.
Another benefit of the professional test is that it typically also includes testing for other common issues like chlorine, total dissolved solids (TDS), hard water and more.
Schedule your free water test.
While iron itself isn’t often a health concern, it can bring more concerning issues with it: namely, iron bacteria with it. This is a significant issue that occurs when naturally occurring bacteria feed on dissolved iron, creating slimy, rust-colored deposits in pipes, wells, or fixtures. Signs of iron bacteria include:
- Water that smells like rotten vegetables, sewage or must
- Red, brown or orange discoloration
- Water with a rainbow “sheen” quality
- Slime deposits
If you notice any of these signs, you’ll need to do a more in-depth water quality test to look for more serious issues. An IL EPA-certified lab can run water tests that identify the presence of iron bacteria as well as other issues. If an in-home test is a checkup, this one is like an in-depth examination for your water supply.
Are there acceptable levels of iron in drinking water?
The United States EPA has established a secondary drinking water standard for iron. This means that while iron in water isn’t a direct hazard to your health, it can be a nuisance with its odd tastes and unpleasant stains. For these reasons, the U.S. guideline for levels of iron in drinking water is 0.3 milligrams per liter. Health Canada has established the same recommendation.
Iron water solutions
If the results of a water test show there’s more than 0.3 mg/L of iron in your water, there are a few things you can do to solve this problem. Let’s take a closer look:
How to remove iron from water
There are actually several different types of iron that could be present in your water:
- Ferrous: If you have ferrous iron in your water supply, you’ll notice clear water turning red or brown if left in the sink or tub.
- Ferric: When your water is rich in ferric iron, you’ll notice discoloration as soon as you turn on the faucet.
- Organic and colloidal: Organic and colloidal iron can be yellow, brown or colorless. These types are most often found in well systems.
The best solution is a whole-house filter system designed to reduce the types of iron present in your water. For ferrous iron, a water softener can also be effective for treatment, depending on your levels.
Explore whole house filtration solutions.
Does boiling water remove iron?
No. Boiling water kills most disease-carrying microorganisms, but it does not remove dissolved metals.
Iron water filters
If you want to turn on the tap and get a drink of water free from metallic tastes and staining issues, one of your best options is an iron reduction water filter. These systems can address iron (and often, sulfur in water as well).
Are there iron water filters for my whole house?
Whole-house filters for iron are the best solution for iron in your water. These can protect your drinking water as well as dishes, laundry, plumbing, faucets and water-using appliances from issues caused by iron. An under-sink filter that treats water at the point of use can address a metallic taste, but a more comprehensive solution can keep iron from causing problems in your pipes or staining your clothes, sinks and tubs.
Iron in water: FAQs
Is it safe to drink water with iron?
Water with iron in it is generally safe to drink. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, iron in water doesn’t generally pose a health risk. Additionally, the body can’t easily absorb iron from drinking water.
As noted in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, most scientific evidence says iron isn’t a reproductive or developmental toxicant or a carcinogen. However, high levels of supplemental iron or total iron intake can cause some health effects, with gastrointestinal upset being the most significant.
Is it safe to shower in high-iron water?
Yes, you can shower in high-iron water. According to the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, iron exposure through showering or bathing isn’t considered significant due to the mineral’s physiochemical properties. Iron also doesn’t impact your water’s hardness level, but other minerals like calcium and magnesium do.
Test for iron in your water
Whether you suspect your water has high iron levels or you just want to know more about your water quality overall, Culligan’s free in-home water tests can provide you with valuable information. In as little as 30 minutes, your local Culligan water experts can find answers about where that metallic taste might be coming from, what’s causing discoloration or why your home’s pipes always seem clogged — all by testing for iron and other possible contaminants.
Get started by scheduling your free, in-home water test today.
