Dealing With Rusty Water

One cause of rusty drinking water is when it comes from a town well and the water picks up iron from the ground in which it is stored. That iron laden water makes its into every house connected to the supply. Most town wells are treated by chlorination and filtering before it makes it's way to the end user.

Another cause is water that comes from a private well that serves a single home or several homes. This is a much more likely scenario because most private wells are sunk deep into the ground and the water is not treated before being utilized by the consumer.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Water piping material that is starting to rust and decay inside the piping is another potential cause. Although rare, the rust can make it's way up to the tap. More likely, the rust and scale will make their way to the valves and aerators. If this is the case, there is a noticeable drop in water pressure as the rust and scale expands to retard flow. If the home or building is more than 30 years old, the water piping is more than likely galvanized or black threaded piping.

If the water is from a town well and is not treated or from a private well the only thing you can do is to remove the iron out of the water somehow. There are a few ways to remove the iron from the water; the first is simply to install a water softener. All water softeners will remove some of the iron out of the water.

To eliminate rust coming from a town or private well, a simple water softener will remove some of the iron from the water. If a water softener doesn't remedy the situation, there are readily available products that can help. Iron Out is such a product that is highly recommended. Used according to the manufacturers direction and in conjunction with salt, is highly effective.

Installing a filter to specifically designed to remove rust and sediment can also help to improve the quality of the water. If these don't cut it you may have to install an iron tank that is used specifically to remove iron from the potable water. Well casings can also be a culprit of rust. Old steel well casing have been know to corrode and flake off in the water. Newer well casings are made of PVC and do not corrode or cause rusty water.

Finally if the water piping is beginning to rust inside and water flow is not usable some if not all the water piping may need to be removed and replaced with copper or PEX tubing. If this is the route that needs to be taken please make sure the shower valves are blown out, cleaning out potential rust particles that could foul the valve ports. Also remove the aerators on the kitchen and lavatory faucets and flush out or just remove and replace. Again when rusty piping is being replaced it's very likely some rust and scale will make it's way to the valves and aerators.

Dealing With Rusty Water

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS