Have you ever turned on the faucet or shower and found that the water comes out cloudy yellowish and smells like iron rust? The yellowish color and iron smell indicate that the water is contaminated.
Using contaminated water for daily needs such as bathing and cooking can pose various health risks.
To address this issue, this article will delve deeper into various tips to overcome it. But before that, it’s important to understand why water smells like iron, so read on!
Why Does Water Smell Like Iron?
Water smelling like iron could indicate an excess of manganese content. Although it may initially appear clear, it often develops a slightly cloudy yellowish color when stored. The maximum tolerable manganese content in water is 0.3 mg/liter; exceeding this limit can impart a taste.
In addition to excessive manganese, other factors can also cause water to smell like iron. Water from bore wells sometimes contains excessive iron (Fe).
Old water pipes can rust over time, eventually clogging and reducing water pressure at the tap. This rust can cause the water that comes out to become cloudy due to iron sediment.
For those who enjoy hot showers using a water heater tank, this could potentially cause the water from the shower to smell rusty. Water heater tanks use an anode rod made of aluminum and magnesium to heat water. If the anode rod is not replaced on time, the water that comes out can turn rusty.
One of the causes of iron-smelling water is low pH levels. The safe pH range for daily use and consumption is between 6.5 to 8.5. Water with acidity within this range can dissolve all types of minerals, including Fe, making it safe to use. Water mixed with corrosive gases can also increase the Fe content in the water.
Another cause is contamination from household or industrial waste containing Fe. The iron smell may be due to bacteria such as callitonella, leptothrix, crenothrix, and siderocapsa, which require iron to survive. They oxidize Fe as their food source.
What Are the Effects of Using Contaminated Water?
The criteria for water suitable for consumption are that it should not have color, taste, or odor. Iron-smelling water certainly does not meet the criteria for safe consumption for daily needs.
One unavoidable daily need that requires clean water is bathing. If you bathe using iron-smelling water, the iron and magnesium content can dry out your hair and dull its shine. Iron-smelling and cloudy water can cause itching on the skin. For people with sensitive skin, this can be a significant concern.
Contaminated water is clearly not suitable for drinking. However, if this water is consumed or accidentally swallowed over a long period, it can lead to health issues such as diarrhea, hypertension, and even kidney problems.
Tips to Overcome Iron-Smelling Water
1. Use Chlorine / Alum
Chlorine or calcium hypochlorite is useful for killing bacteria and clumping dirt. Chlorine and alum are also very effective in removing iron smell in water and can clarify dirty water. However, when using chlorine, the water should not be used immediately. Let it sit for a few days first, and then the water can be used for daily needs.
2. Deepen the Bore Well
Digging a deeper well can be a solution to prevent water contamination. Water in deeper wells tends to be cleaner compared to water in shallow wells because water in shallow wells has a higher potential to be contaminated by other water flows.
3. Use Water Filters
Using a water filter is an effective way to remove contaminants and harmful substances from water, including iron-smelling water. There are many water filters available today that are practical for producing good quality and drinkable water. Moreover, if you want to use water directly for bathing, a top-rated shower filter you can try is the Daily Cha-E Multi-Filtered Shower Head.
The Daily Cha-E Multi-Filtered Shower Head is a BPA-free bathroom shower equipped with dual filters: a sediment filter and an ACF (Activated Carbon Fiber) filter. This product can filter particles as small as 5 microns, including odors, dust, sand, mud, sediment, rust, bacteria, chlorine, metal content, and harmful chemicals from water.
When the Sediment Filter is combined with the ACF Filter, the water that comes out is effectively filtered, ensuring it maintains skin and hair health. Additionally, the Daily Cha-E Multi-Filtered Shower Head provides a more stable and gentle water flow compared to other shower heads.
Maintaining health should start with small things, such as ensuring the quality of the water we use for daily needs. The smell of iron in water indicates contamination and makes it unsuitable for consumption. Therefore, follow the above tips and use the Daily Cha-E Multi-Filtered Shower Head to obtain clean water free from iron odor.