Rusty Water in Mid & Southeast Michigan
Why is the Water in My Home Rusty?
If you’ve turned on your tap water recently and noticed a reddish color coming from your faucet, you are probably dealing with iron in your water. But what causes rusty water in the first place? There are three leading causes for iron water. Iron can naturally occur in some drinking water but will not show itself until exposed to air. Rusty water can also show up if a nearby water main or fire hydrant is in use. However, the most common cause is rust buildup in water mains or even your plumbing.
Iron in your water is never pleasant to deal with. It smells bad, tastes bad, and looks very unclean. Iron in your water will also stain your skin, clothes, and the surfaces your water touches, like bathtubs, sinks, and toilets. Though many of the effects of rusty water are irritating, you do not have to worry about your health. Rusty water isn’t bad for you–it’s just unpleasant. The only exception is for people with a rare health condition called hemochromatosis, a condition that causes excess iron accumulation in your organs.
