3 Tips For Dealing With Iron In Your Water
Excess iron in your household water can seem like an alarming problem. Fortunately, there are ways to tackle the problem depending on how your water is becoming contaminated and the extent of the problem.
Filtration Is Not Always Necessary
If you only realized there increased levels of iron in your water because of recent water testing, it is not always necessary to filter your water. The "safe" levels of iron in drinking water are 0.3mg/L and levels slightly above this are unlikely to cause problems in most people. Unless you notice an unusual color, smell, or taste in your water, a small amount of extra iron is harmless. If you currently take a multivitamin or an iron supplement, you may want to be cautious about the amount of tap water you consume to avoid having too much iron in your diet.
Invest In A Whole-Home System
Whether you are simply uncomfortable with the idea of additional iron in your drinking water or there is enough iron contamination to cause problems, your best recourse is a whole-house filtration system. Not only do you need to be concerned about your drinking water, but you must take into consideration the effects of excess iron on appliances in your home. For example, excess iron water may cause damage to appliances, such as dishwashers or hot water tanks, or contribute to staining when you wash your clothes.
Before you invest in a whole-home system, make sure you understand how your water is becoming contaminated. If you have a private water source, such as a well, you should have the source tested first. In some cases, contaminants may be leeching into your water through the pipes carrying water throughout your home, which would only re-contaminate filtered water.
Use Sink Filtration When Appropriate
In some cases, excess iron in your water is best handled with filtration methods that are installed under the sink. For example, if you have deduced that specific pipes inside your home must be contaminating your water, you only need to filter your water on an as-needed bases. If you are not noticing any signs of hard water while showering, such as soaps not lathering, it may be an unnecessary expense to filter your water for bathing or washing dishes. Install a filtration system on sinks that are used for drinking, cooking, and brushing your teeth. Smaller filtration systems can be used as a temporary fix until you can make the investment in having your plumbing replaced.
Excess iron in your water can be a startling finding, but rarely is it a health concern. Various water filtration methods can help you achieve cleaner water for your household needs.
