Iron in Drinking Water
EPA limits, health effects, and what to do if your water is affected.
🩨 Health Effects
Iron has no federal primary health-based MCL but is regulated under secondary standards for aesthetics. High iron gives water a metallic taste, rusty or orange-brown color, and stains laundry and fixtures. Elevated iron can encourage bacterial growth in distribution pipes.
📍 Sources in Water
Iron occurs naturally and is very common in groundwater, especially in regions with iron-bearing rock or soil. It also enters water from corrosion of iron and steel pipes in distribution systems and home plumbing.
✅ What To Do
An iron filter (oxidizing or greensand filter), water softener, or whole-house sediment filter can help reduce iron. If you see rust-colored water suddenly, contact your water utility, as this may indicate pipe damage.
Check your tap water for Iron
Search your ZIP code to see if your water system has had Iron violations, plus lead testing results and an overall safety grade.
Search your ZIP code →Data from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). MCLs reflect minimum federal standards; some contaminants may pose health risks below these thresholds.