Iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide (“the trio”) are the three most common water problems in private well systems. These contaminants, picked up by water as it flows through the ground into aquifers, will cause many different problems in home plumbing systems. As little as 0.3 mg/l of iron can cause orange or reddish/brown staining, a musty odor and metallic taste. Not all iron is the same, however. Iron comes in a number of different forms, including ferrous, ferric and bacterial.
Ferrous iron, or clear water iron, is not immediately visible when drawn. Once exposed to an oxidant such as air or chlorine, the iron oxidizes into visible particles. Ferrous iron is the most common form found in well systems.