If your well water has started tasting a little off or has taken on a reddish-brown color at times, you may have rust. Caused by the buildup of high concentrations of iron, rust isn’t dangerous, but it can be unpleasant to drink and leave stains on your laundry and faucets. Fortunately, it can be reduced or eliminated through proper maintenance, including professional well cleaning. There are also ways you can remove it yourself in minor cases. Here’s a closer look at the steps you can take.

How to Remove Rust From Your Well Water

1. Perform a Water Quality Test

Before you contact your local well cleaning service, perform a water quality test to make sure rust is the problem. Relatively inexpensive, water quality tests can be found at any home improvement store and are designed to measure the iron, pH, manganese, and hardness levels of your well water. The kit will provide the ranges of minerals within your water as well as the expected ranges, allowing you to compare. 

2. Use a Water Softener

One of the most effective ways to get rid of rust, water softeners use salt-based ion exchange to introduce sodium into the water. This changes the chemical balance and replaces iron and other particles and minerals that may not have been filtered out.

While installing these systems yourself is possible if you’re a home DIY expert, it may be wise to consult with a professional. You may also want to arrange regular salt deliveries with a water softener supplier to help maintain your system.

3. Use a Rust Filter

Designed to treat all levels of iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide, iron filters are an excellent way to treat rust and odor problems in your well water. Rust filters typically work in two stages. Oxidation creates bubbles that oxidize iron, while sulfur converts it into particles that can then be captured through the filtration stage, which runs the water through a bed of minerals, removing a wide range of iron particulates.

For professional well cleaning, contact Gainous Well Drilling in Cairo, GA. Specializing in well cleanings, installations, and inspections, their family-owned and -operated company proudly offers over 50 years of experience and services you can trust. Call them today at (229) 377-7883 for a free estimate or visit them online to learn more about their services.