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Water - High Iron Content Yellow

  • 23-02-2010 10:20am
    #1
    garden
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 126 ✭✭


    Hi sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

    We have our own well and our water is a really horrible yellow colour and smells a bit - even washing white clothes you can see yellow staining on them. Bath is stained under the tap where there is a bit of drip. Kettle destroyed. We are expecting a baby in the next month and i am terrified that if using formula milk that it might be harmful.

    So just wanted to know if it is harmful to have high iron content and also can anything be done. We have a filtration system and we have gotten the installers to call out a few times in the last year, since installation, but they keep saying it's because we live so close to bog that really they can't do anything.


Comments

  • #2
    Helium
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 372 ✭✭Helium


    Hi there, we had same problem in our house and only cure is a 'backwash system' cost us 1500 ten years ago. Think you can use in conjunction with filtration system. Can sympathise with damage iron water can cause inside as far as washing machines/ dishwasher etc. will ruin any appliance.If you have copper pipes and a copper tank guaranteed more problems as iron will eat through them eventually. We were lucky our builder installed qualplex piping and steel tank and fittings. Do not think any harm healthwise but would buy bottled water for baby till backwash installed.


  • #3
    Tefral
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,396 ✭✭✭Tefral


    Same problem at home. Firstly the best thing you can do is to avoid using bleach when washing etc, this includes washing powders with "whiteners".

    The Hydrogen from the bleach bonds with the Iron in the water.

    I did my college dissertation on rural water a few years ago etc and this formed part of it.

    Secondly, there is a filtration system that contains a long tube of manganese green sand and a smaller tank attached (used for the backwash material).

    The water enters the long tank and the Iron bonds to the Green sand, the water then runs clear from this. After a certain time the sand is blocked with the Iron, a mixture of water and potassium permanganate is "backwashed" through the filter (usually at night when water is not needed) and then the system is ready to go again.

    If your part of a group water scheme or run your well you can be granted a grant for this from your local county council.

    You need to change the sand yearly in the big tank. There are many companies in Ireland that supply these systems. You can buy the top up bags of green sand yourself and replace them yearly to save yourself money, there is a company in Raheen in Limerick that sells the stuff wholesale.

    The Iron itself is not hamful to you or your baby, however it is undesirable to have this in the water as the previous poster has pointed out, the iron will also bond to the copper piping in your house over time, also your hot water tank will become blocked with it, showers also have a reduced lifespan.


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