Problem Water
Problem Water
If you've ever noticed rusty orange or blue/green stains in your sinks, tubs or toilets, or an unpleasant smell in your water, you are among the many afflicted with problem water.
Find out what causes problem water and how to fix it.

What Is Problem Water?
Some water contains troublesome elements or has characteristics which can make it very unpleasant to use or damaging to things that it touches. Among them are iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide and acidity.

Iron
Iron in water is a common problem. Since iron makes up five percent of the earth's crust, water absorbs it as it passes through the ground and into underground aquifiers, wells and surface waters. Unfortunately, iron creates some annoying problems. Iron is generally found in well water, although city water users are not immune from the problems associated with it.

Iron typically rears its ugly head as rusty orange/brown stains, streaks or spots on clothing cleaned in a washing machine. Stains also appear on bathtubs, sinks and faucets. Even small amounts of iron can cause problems. Iron in concentrations as low as .3 parts per million can cause staining. And iron staining can be difficult to remove; cleaning may require special solvents. Iron can also clog pipes and damage the internal parts of water-using appliances.

Iron exists in three common forms: elemental iron, ferrous iron and ferric iron. The elemental form of iron is found in the ground. Ferrous iron is in a dissolved state within a water supply and will not cause any discoloration, although a distinct metallic taste will be present. When the dissolved iron reacts with oxygen however, ferric iron results. Ferric iron turns the water a hazy, reddish-brown color and makes it very unappealing. Ferric iron stains bathtubs, sinks and fixtures when it comes in contact with them. Even though iron is generally dissolved in water, when the water is drawn from the tap, the iron reacts with the oxygen in the air and enters the ferric state. In some cases, water may already carry ferric iron when it's drawn from a faucet, and may appear discolored.