• Tiny pieces of rust result from corrosion of pipes or the metal wall of the well.atalaya castle kitchen faucet image by Jorge Moro from Fotolia.com
  
  Earth's crust is composed of at least 5% iron. Iron dissolves as melted snow and rainwater seep into the soil and the underlying crust. The dissolved iron infiltrates groundwater sources that serve wells. Iron may appear as tiny rust particles or discolored water. As little as .03 milligrams of iron per liter of water turns it to a reddish-brown color. Although it's considered a secondary contaminant, iron in drinking water is usually safe.
  
  

Iron

• Soluble ferrous iron and insoluble ferric iron are the two primary sources of iron found in water. Ferrous iron is completely dissolved and the water remains clear. Once exposed to air, a reddish-brown substance forms. The sediment is ferric or oxidized iron that remains undissolved. In other words, rust. For example, when left exposed to air, an iron bucket filled with clear tap water rusts.
  
  Ferrous iron causes foul tasting water. The taste becomes harsh when combined with coffee and other beverages. Excessive iron makes cooked vegetables dark.
  
  Bacteria feed on the iron and create a slime that clogs plumbing and has an offensive odor. To check for the presence of slime, remove the toilet tank lid. Elimination of the bacteria is difficult due to the plentiful food source.
  
  Tiny concentrations of iron leave tough stains. Avoid using chlorine bleach as it reacts with the iron content and forms a permanent stain.
  
  

Health

• Drinking water typically contains less than 10 milligrams of iron per liter of water. U.S. tapwater supplies about 5% of the daily dietary requirement of iron. Humans need another 1 to 3 milligrams of iron daily. Iron comes from foods such as red meat, leafy vegetables and cereals.
  
  The body uses iron to assist in oxygen transportation in the blood. Iron causes the red color of hemoglobin in the blood.
  
  The Minnesota Department of Health recommends annual testing of a well to check for coliform bacteria. If the water changes in odor, taste or appearance, you should test immediately. Fecal coliform or E. coli pose serious health risks.
  
  

Solutions

• To determine the source of rust, a laboratory analysis of the water is necessary. It may originate in the well water or through corrosion of the metal well casing or the pipes themselves. Certified laboratories provide water sample kits.
  
  Stopping the problem may entail plumbing replacement, construction of a new well or water treatments. The precise treatment method is dependent on the problem. Filtration treatments include chlorination, aeration, Manganese Greensand and catalytic. Other methods are water softener, ozonation, sequestering and shock or continuing chlorination.