Iron and Rust Staining

If the water in your Maryland home colors your toilet and sinks a brownish-orange or red, it probably contains an abundance of iron.

Although iron is part of a healthy diet, when too much of this mineral is present in your tap water, it can leave unwanted stains on fixtures and impart a metallic taste.

Iron, present in rocks and dirt underground, can dissolve in groundwater and eventually end up in your Annapolis well. Old iron pipes can rust as they wear out, adding particles to your tap water. Bacteria that thrive on iron in water create a slime that can build up in plumbing, water heaters, and toilet tanks.

No matter what form it takes, iron is no match for our pros at Mid-Atlantic Water Services. Our water treatment strategies can reduce contaminants and mineral content in water, alter pH levels, and improve water aesthetics.

We are proud to offer Hellenbrand water softener and reverse osmosis systems, along with Viqua ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting lights and cartridge filters. Our expert technicians maintain, repair, and install treatment systems for wells and city water.

Let us recommend the best solution for reducing iron in the water at your Annapolis home.

Book a Service.

Potential Fixes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers iron one of 15 “secondary” contaminants for which it sets non-mandatory water quality standards. According to the EPA, these contaminants do not jeopardize your health.

If they are present in your water at levels above EPA’s non-mandatory standards, they can affect aesthetics, such as water taste and odor.

The standard for iron is 0.3 milligrams per liter of water. More than 0.3 milligrams of iron causes staining, metallic flavor, and sediment.

Water containing dissolved ferrous iron is clear until exposed to oxygen. It may look normal as it flows from the faucet, but after interacting with air, it develops rusty-colored sediment that does not dissolve.

In its ferric or non-soluble state, it causes an accumulation of flakey, rusty sediment in fixtures, water heaters, and appliances.  Pour the water into a glass, and you will notice rusty residue.

Water containing ferrous iron is a good candidate for a high-efficiency water softener that can reduce iron content and eliminate staining. We can recommend a filtering system to screen out particles of undissolved iron.

Testing   

Testing your water is the most accurate method of identifying its contents. At Mid-Atlantic Water Services, we send your water samples to a third-party lab and use the results to tailor a treatment system to your unique needs. Some tests are performed by our specialists in the field and are no-charge (pH, Iron, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids)

We never use a one-size-fits-all approach to your water supply. For example, you and your neighbor may notice rusty stains on fixtures in your Annapolis homes. You both have iron in your tap water, but that does not mean the same treatment product is appropriate for both households.

Your water supply may contain other contaminants. The water next door may be more acidic.  The amount of water used at each home, which is crucial when determining the best treatment, also may differ.

Our team at Mid-Atlantic Water Services will never sell a product to you without first observing your water and testing it. We do not generalize solutions. We guarantee our work and want you to be happy with the result.

Remove Rusty Stains Now

Let Mid-Atlantic Water Services improve the quality of your drinking water by reducing iron content. Contact us for a consultation about water treatment in your Annapolis, MD, home. Call us today at (443) 808-0420 or request service online.