Iron problems in rural well water can range from minor nuisances to severe problems, depending on how much mineral iron or iron bacteria are present.
The solution can also range from a $10 to $20 shock chlorination treatment to a $1,000 to $4,000 water treatment system.
It’s important to thoroughly assess the problem before taking action.
“The first step is to determine how much of the iron problem is caused by an accumulation of iron bacteria in the well and how much is caused by either dissolved or particulate iron in the water,” said Bob Buchanan, agricultural water specialist with Alberta Agriculture in Leduc.
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A few simple observations should be done.
“If iron bacteria are present, there will be a buildup of rusty-colored slime in the toilet water tank.
“If mineral iron is the majority of the problem, a hard rusty colored deposit will accumulate on everything in the toilet water tank.”
Typical symptoms of iron bacteria problems are gradual increases in taste, odor and staining.
Iron bacteria can also build up on the pump screen or well casing and also inside water pipelines and gradually begin to plug these.
“For wells with iron bacterial problems, a thorough shock chlorination treatment is in order,” said Buchanan.
“The treatment involves putting a strong solution of chlorine bleach and water down the well.
“This solution is left in the well and water system overnight or for a couple of days and then pumped from the well.
“Generally, shock chlorination treatments once or twice per year will make a dramatic improvement in well water quality.”
Detailed information on shock chlorination is available at any Alberta Agriculture district office.
“After shock chlorination, if there has been little or no reduction in rust staining, then iron bacteria are not a significant problem,” he said.
“This means either dissolved or particle mineral iron are the problem and water treatment equipment will be required to improve it.” Before buying water treatment equipment, have an independent lab do a chemical analysis of the water.
Often water wells have a combination of mineral iron and iron bacteria.
A chemical analysis will help identify mineral iron, iron bacteria and any other substances that could require removal.
“It’s very important to know the pH and tannin levels of water as they could complicate iron removal,” said Buchanan.
It is a good idea to get recommendations from an independent water quality specialist. Following that, the landowner can contact several water treatment companies asking for recommendations on systems to solve the iron problems.
