Orange or brown staining in sinks, tubs, and toilets
Common Causes
- Ferrous (clear-water) iron dissolved in groundwater from iron-bearing geological formations
- Ferric (particulate) iron from oxidized iron in the water table
- Iron bacteria in the well (biological iron)
- Corroding steel well casing or old galvanized pressure tank
Licensed professional required. Do not attempt this yourself — improper work can cause injury, property damage, or void your insurance.
When to Call a Pro
- You have orange or rust-coloured staining in sinks, tubs, or toilet bowls
- Water tastes metallic or looks discoloured when first running
- Iron staining is damaging laundry
Alberta Context
Iron is one of the most common water quality issues on Alberta acreages and rural properties in Red Deer County and Mountain View County. Health Canada's aesthetic objective for iron is 0.3 mg/L — many rural AB wells exceed this, with some testing at 0.5-2.0 mg/L. Water testing before selecting treatment equipment is essential, as the type of iron (ferrous vs ferric vs bacterial) determines the correct treatment approach. Contact Alberta Agriculture or a certified water testing lab for sampling protocols.