Canadian Drinking Water Safety Article

I have Red Stains in my Sinks and Other Fixtures – What should I do!

Red stains are normally caused by iron in the water. Call Water Superstore for your FREE In-Home Water Test to determine the amount and the type of iron you have. Some types are: oxidized, soluble, colloidal, bacteria or organic-bound. All are a problem! It only takes 0.3 ppm to stain clothes, fixtures, etc. 

Soluble

Soluble iron is called "clear water" iron. After being drawn form the well and contacting the air, the iron oxidizes, or "rusts", forming reddish brown particles in the water. Depending on the amount of iron in the water, you may solve this problem with a water softener, or a combination of softener and filter. You can also use an iron filter that recharges with potassium permanganate, or inject air to oxidize the iron and then filter it with a media filter. This would provide a superior solution as it would be chemical-free resulting in lower on-going costs and better for the environment and your septic system.

Colloidal

Colloidal iron is very small particles of oxidized iron suspended in the water. They are usually bound together with other substances. This iron looks more like a color than particles when held up in a clear glass, as they are so small. Treatment is usually one of three ways: Feed chlorine to oxidize the organic away from the iron, thus allowing agglomeration to occur, feeding polymers that attract the static charge on the particles, forming larger clumps of matter that is filterable or air-injection systems.

Bacterial

Iron bacteria are living organisms that feed on the iron found in the water, pipes, fittings, etc. They build slime all along the water flow path. Occasionally, the slimy growths break free, causing extremely discoloured water. If a large slug breaks loose, it can pass through to the point of use, plugging fixtures. These types of bacteria are becoming more common in Canada. Tell tale signs of Bacterial Iron are a reddish or green slime build-up in your toilet flush tank. This type of iron problem is difficult to eliminate. You must kill the bacteria, usually by chlorination. It will be necessary to feed chlorine continuously to prevent re-growth. A filter alone will not solve this problem. 

Organic bound

This iron may be mistaken for colloidal iron. We test for Tannins and if present, it is most likely combined with iron. The low level amounts can be removed by use of a carbon filter, which absorbs the complex. The carbon bed would need to be replaced when it becomes saturated. Higher amounts require removing the iron through oxidation and then removing the Tannins with a Tannin filter.

 

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