What happens if you drink water that has iron in it?

According to the EPA, iron has a Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level of 0.3 mg/L, set for aesthetic reasons like taste and staining rather than health impacts. However, what happens if you drink water that has iron in it above this level can range from unappealing side effects to long-term health concerns for certain individuals.

Quick Summary

Consuming water with high iron levels primarily causes aesthetic issues like metallic taste and rust-colored stains, but can also cause plumbing damage and health complications for people with certain genetic conditions.

Key Points

• Aesthetic Nuisance: High iron levels in water cause a metallic taste, unpleasant odor, and rusty discoloration, affecting drinking water, food, and beverages.

• Household Damage: Iron deposits can clog pipes, reduce water pressure, and shorten the lifespan of water-using appliances like washing machines and water heaters.

• Staining Issues: The oxidation of iron leaves stubborn, reddish-brown stains on plumbing fixtures, laundry, and dishes that are difficult to remove.

• Health Concerns for Some: While generally not harmful, high iron in water can worsen conditions for individuals with hereditary hemochromatosis, leading to organ damage from iron overload.

• Iron Bacteria Growth: Iron-rich environments can support iron bacteria, which create foul-smelling, slimy residue that clogs plumbing, although the bacteria itself is not typically harmful.

• Remediation Options: Solutions for removing iron include water softeners for low levels, oxidizing filters, and reverse osmosis for more complex situations.

Understanding Iron in Water

Iron is the second most abundant metal in the Earth's crust, and it can enter a water supply naturally as groundwater filters through iron-rich soil and rock. It can also seep into the water from corroding iron or steel pipes and plumbing fixtures, a common issue in older homes.

Iron in water is primarily found in two forms:

• Ferrous Iron ($\text{Fe}^{2+}$): This is dissolved, or "clear-water" iron. The water appears clear when it comes from the tap, but upon exposure to oxygen, the iron oxidizes and precipitates into visible reddish-brown particles.
• Ferric Iron ($\text{Fe}^{3+}$): This is insoluble, or "red-water" iron. It appears as visible rust particles that can give the water a cloudy, rusty-red or brown color from the start.

The Immediate Effects of Drinking Iron-Rich Water

The most immediate and noticeable effects of high iron in water are aesthetic and typically do not pose a direct health threat for most people. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies iron as a secondary contaminant, meaning its regulation is based on nuisance properties, not direct health risk.

Taste and Odor

Water with high iron content often has a distinct metallic, coppery, or rusty taste that can make it unpleasant to drink. This metallic flavor can also affect the taste of foods and beverages prepared with the water, such as coffee, tea, and cooked vegetables, often making them turn darker in color. An unpleasant, musty, or swampy odor, sometimes described as smelling like rotten eggs, may also be present due to the presence of iron bacteria.

Staining and Discoloration

Ferric iron is notorious for leaving rust-colored stains on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. High iron concentrations can cause:

• Reddish-brown or orange stains on sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and showers.
• Discoloration of white clothing washed in the water.
• A film or rusty residue on dishware and cutlery.
• Cloudy or murky water that settles to a reddish sediment at the bottom of a glass.

The Effects on Your Home and Plumbing

Beyond the aesthetic issues, high iron levels can cause significant damage to your home's infrastructure and appliances over time, leading to costly repairs.

• Pipe Clogging: Iron sediment builds up inside pipes, gradually restricting water flow and reducing water pressure throughout the house.
• Appliance Damage: Water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers can become less efficient and fail prematurely due to iron buildup, which can damage internal components.
• Iron Bacteria Growth: Certain non-pathogenic bacteria feed on iron, creating a slimy, reddish-brown film (biofilm) that can coat the inside of plumbing, clog filters, and produce foul odors. This biofilm can also create an environment where other harmful bacteria may thrive.

Health Implications of High Iron in Water

For the vast majority of healthy individuals, drinking water with elevated iron levels is not considered a health risk because the body does not readily absorb the iron from water. Most iron is absorbed from food sources. However, certain groups and situations present increased risks.

• Iron Overload and Hemochromatosis: Individuals with genetic disorders like hereditary hemochromatosis absorb and store excess iron from their diet and environment. Over time, this iron overload can damage organs, including the liver, heart, and pancreas, and may increase the risk of conditions like diabetes and liver failure. For these individuals, consuming iron-rich water is a concern.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: Ingesting extremely high concentrations of iron (over 2,000 µg/l) may lead to gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation.
• Skin and Hair Effects: Washing with hard, iron-rich water can dry out skin and hair, as the minerals can damage healthy skin cells and interfere with soap effectiveness.
• Weakened Immune System: Some sources suggest that excessive iron intake could weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to various health problems.

How to Test and Remove Iron from Your Water

If you suspect high iron content, especially in well water, testing is the only way to be sure. You can use at-home test kits, which often involve a color-changing strip, or send a sample to a professional water testing laboratory for a more accurate result.

Comparing Common Iron Removal Systems

Feature	Water Softener (Ion Exchange)	Oxidizing Filter	Reverse Osmosis (RO) System
Best for	Low levels of dissolved (ferrous) iron	Higher levels of both dissolved and particulate iron	Wide range of contaminants, including high iron and other impurities
Mechanism	Uses resin beads to exchange iron ions for sodium or potassium ions.	Converts dissolved iron to solid particles that are then filtered out.	Forces water through a semipermeable membrane to trap impurities.
Placement	Point-of-entry (whole house)	Point-of-entry (whole house)	Typically point-of-use (e.g., under the sink) or whole-house
Limitations	Ineffective for high iron levels, iron bacteria, or particulate iron.	May require backwashing and the right water chemistry to be effective.	Smaller scale and slower output than whole-house options, filters can clog.
Maintenance	Requires regular salt refills for regeneration and backwashing to clean resin.	Requires regular backwashing to clear filtered particles.	Requires periodic membrane and filter replacement.
Effectiveness	Moderate	High	Very High

For most homes, a water softener or oxidizing filter is the most practical and cost-effective solution for whole-house iron treatment. An RO system is excellent for treating drinking and cooking water at the point of use. For well water, a water treatment professional can help determine the best solution for the specific type and concentration of iron present.

Conclusion

While drinking water with iron in it is not immediately hazardous for most healthy people, the aesthetic issues, damage to plumbing, and potential long-term health risks for vulnerable individuals make it a problem worth addressing. From metallic taste and rusty stains to clogged pipes and organ damage for those with hemochromatosis, the consequences are varied. By testing your water and choosing an appropriate filtration system—whether a water softener, oxidizing filter, or reverse osmosis unit—you can resolve these issues, protect your home, and ensure safer, better-tasting water. For guidance on water quality and contaminants, the U.S. EPA website is an authoritative resource.

Note: If you have a genetic predisposition to hemochromatosis or another condition affecting iron regulation, consult a doctor regarding your water's iron content.

What to Do About Iron in Your Water

• Test your water supply to accurately measure iron levels.
• Choose a water treatment system, such as a softener, oxidizing filter, or RO, based on iron type and concentration.
• Consider a point-of-use filter for drinking and cooking water if a whole-house system is too costly.
• For well water, regular shock chlorination may be needed to address iron bacteria.
• Use specialized cleaners for fixtures and laundry to remove existing iron stains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is drinking water with high iron levels dangerous?

For most healthy people, drinking water with elevated iron levels is not dangerous as the body does not efficiently absorb iron from water. The primary issues are aesthetic. However, individuals with hemochromatosis or other conditions that affect iron absorption are at a higher risk.

How can I tell if there is iron in my water?

You can detect iron in your water by its metallic taste, rusty or brownish color, and any reddish-brown staining on fixtures, laundry, or dishes. A simple home test or professional laboratory analysis will confirm the level of iron.

Can iron in water cause stomach problems?

In extremely high concentrations (over 2,000 µg/l), iron in water may cause short-term gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. However, this is rare for most public water supplies and is more likely with private wells.

What is the best way to remove iron from my drinking water?

The best method depends on the type and concentration of iron. For low, dissolved iron, a water softener may suffice. For higher or particulate iron, an oxidizing filter is more effective. A reverse osmosis (RO) system is a comprehensive option for removing a wide range of contaminants, including high iron levels.

Will iron in my water damage my pipes and appliances?

Yes, over time, iron particles can build up in pipes, leading to clogs and reduced water pressure. This mineral buildup also negatively impacts water-using appliances like water heaters and washing machines, shortening their lifespan and reducing their efficiency.

What are iron bacteria, and are they a health risk?

Iron bacteria are microorganisms that feed on iron and create a slimy, foul-smelling residue in plumbing. While they do not pose a direct health risk, they can promote the growth of other, potentially harmful bacteria in your water system.

Is it possible to get hemochromatosis from drinking high-iron water?

Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder, not one caused directly by iron in drinking water. However, for individuals with this condition, an excessive intake of iron, including from water, can worsen the condition by contributing to iron overload.