Dealing With Rusty Water

One cause of rusty drinking water is when it comesa simple water softener will remove some of the iron
from a town well and the water picks up iron fromfrom the water. If a water softener doesn't remedy
the ground in which it is stored. That iron laden waterthe situation, there are readily available products that
makes its into every house connected to the supply.can help. Iron Out is such a product that is highly
Most town wells are treated by chlorination andrecommended. Used according to the manufacturers
filtering before it makes it's way to the end user.direction and in conjunction with salt, is highly
Another cause is water that comes from a privateeffective.
well that serves a single home or several homes. ThisInstalling a filter to specifically designed to remove
is a much more likely scenario because most privaterust and sediment can also help to improve the
wells are sunk deep into the ground and the water isquality of the water. If these don't cut it you may
not treated before being utilized by the consumer.have to install an iron tank that is used specifically to
Water piping material that is starting to rust andremove iron from the potable water. Well casings can
decay inside the piping is another potential cause.also be a culprit of rust. Old steel well casing have
Although rare, the rust can make it's way up to thebeen know to corrode and flake off in the water.
tap. More likely, the rust and scale will make theirNewer well casings are made of PVC and do not
way to the valves and aerators. If this is the case,corrode or cause rusty water.
there is a noticeable drop in water pressure as theFinally if the water piping is beginning to rust inside
rust and scale expands to retard flow. If the homeand water flow is not usable some if not all the
or building is more than 30 years old, the water pipingwater piping may need to be removed and replaced
is more than likely galvanized or black threaded piping.with copper or PEX tubing. If this is the route that
If the water is from a town well and is not treatedneeds to be taken please make sure the shower
or from a private well the only thing you can do is tovalves are blown out, cleaning out potential rust
remove the iron out of the water somehow. Thereparticles that could foul the valve ports. Also remove
are a few ways to remove the iron from the water;the aerators on the kitchen and lavatory faucets and
the first is simply to install a water softener. All waterflush out or just remove and replace. Again when
softeners will remove some of the iron out of therusty piping is being replaced it's very likely some rust
water.and scale will make it's way to the valves and
To eliminate rust coming from a town or private well,aerators.