Iron in Water — What It Is and Why It Matters
If your tap water tastes metallic, your fixtures are marked with orange stains, or your laundry comes out dull and streaked, there’s a good chance iron has found its way into your water supply. Though trace amounts of iron aren’t dangerous to drink, too much can cause headaches for your plumbing, your appliances, and your day-to-day comfort.
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As iron oxidizes, it turns into the rust-coloured residue you see on sinks, tubs, and toilets. Those same deposits collect inside pipes and water heaters, reducing pressure, clogging filters, and cutting into the efficiency of your system. The result? Costly maintenance, discoloured water, and fixtures that never look fully clean.
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A professional water test can reveal exactly what type of iron you’re dealing with — and how to remove it for good.
Schedule Your
FREE Water Assessment
Don’t live with stained fixtures or strange-tasting water. Our free water analysis pinpoints the problem so you can choose the right fix. Clear water, clean laundry, and better-tasting water are only one test away.
Why Iron Shows Up in Your Water
Causes
Iron usually appears in groundwater as it moves through iron-rich soils and bedrock, picking up trace minerals along the way. Homes on private wells are especially prone, but municipal systems can also carry iron when pipes or storage tanks begin to corrode.
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There are two common forms:
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Ferrous Iron (Clear-Water Iron) – dissolved in the water and invisible until it oxidizes into rust.
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Ferric Iron (Red-Water Iron) – already oxidized, giving the water a cloudy or reddish tint.
Even small amounts of either can stain fixtures, leave laundry looking dingy, and clog equipment like dishwashers or humidifiers.
Treatment
Because every home’s water chemistry is different, the right solution depends on both the type of iron and its concentration.
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Dedicated Iron Filtration Systems
Advanced oxidation filters transform dissolved iron into solid particles, then trap and flush them out — removing stains, odours, and metallic taste.
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Water Softeners
For lower iron levels, softeners can exchange iron ions alongside calcium and magnesium, protecting plumbing and reducing hardness at the same time.
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Air Injection & Oxidation Units
For heavy iron concentrations, these systems inject oxygen or a small oxidizing agent before filtration, delivering complete removal and crystal-clear water.
Ready to Solve Your Iron in Water Problem?
Iron buildup doesn’t fix itself — but the solution is simple.
Schedule your free professional water test today and see the difference clean, balanced water makes for your home, your appliances, and your health.
Once your new filtration system is installed, those stains will fade and stay gone, keeping your sinks, tubs, and laundry bright for the long haul.
