Rust-colored water

[Chris-man]

Dear Appliantologists,   Here in Vermont were 'having a heat wave' as they say. It has been below zero on many mornings for about a week. Although my Kitchen and bathroom-sink cold-water runs, the water is rusty colored.  Why?  (Ive observed this in past frigid spells too)   Thanks. Humble Handyman

[AccApp]

Where does your water come from? Treated city water supply, well, private reservoir?

[Chris-man]

Dear AccApp,    Forgive me for overlooking this 'detail'; I have a well.  Thanks for your help.

[J5*]

If you are drawing from a well that’s the first port of call

Can you check the water before it enters the house ? 

 

[Chris-man]

Dear J5*--- I cant access the water supply before it enters the house, as you ask---not without great difficulty. I do see that 'rust-colored film' on glass drinking-water jugs I fill and use every day in Summertime, so I suspect the 'offending' precipitate is in my water. Im just wondering why it shows up enmasse, now, when the Temps outside are so frigid. could it be coalescing of Bacterial Iron brought about by the likely-unusually-cold water temp as it passes thru plumbing to the spigots and toilet?     Thanks for your help.   

[J5*]

That’s where you need to make the tough decisions

the water is either rusty from the well or it’s from the pipes in the house 

my 1st guess is from the well

So the question is do you want to live with rusty water ?

I know I wouldn’t so would be finding where it comes from the well and if it’s rusty from the well would be 1 getting the water tested for safety and 2 one you have had it tested you can source a water filter system to filter it properly 

 

 

[Chris-man]

Dear J5*,    Thanks for your replies. I will continue to ferret out the perceived problem.    

[AccApp]

+1 to the minerals are always there, you just notice them more when it’s cold

[Chris-man]

Dear AccApp,    This is what I thought. As the outside temp last night was in the single-digits Above the clear-glasses of water (pints) Ive been using as index, now appear clearer. And one more question,  do you know ---if I cant taste the iron, which I cant,  does this suggest my water's iron content is nominal ?  Im not very interested in the upkeep and expense of a filtration-neutralization-etc system. Ive been drinking the stuff strait for 9 years. Thanks for your help.    

[AccApp]

I'm not a water quality expert but if you've been drinking it for 9 years and don't notice the iron it should be fine. I'd get it tested if it was my well.

[J5*]

On 09/01/2018 at 7:05 AM, Chris-man said:

Im not very interested in the upkeep and expense of a filtration-neutralization-etc system. Ive been drinking the stuff strait for 9 years.

And still got your hair and teeth so it’s gotta be ok right ??

For my own peace of mind I would get the water tested yearly 

Here’s is a prime reason why I would get ground water tested 

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3357373/toxic-chemicals-spread-4km-from-williamtown-raaf/

[Chris-man]

Dear AccApp and J5*---Thanks for your replies.   For the record, 'organoleptic testing,' as it is called in micorbiology,  which is eating the thing and seeing if you get sick, is, of course circumstantial, and by no means definitive. But, while I suspect that water tests have various levels, and costs, depending on what you ask to look for, in my region, Green Mountain National Forest (Vermont) at my elevation, about 1300,'  there is very likely no significant discharge of organic-chemical pollutants. As for bacterial contamination, they, from my experience, pose no real health threat. Tests for coliform (environmental bacteria) and E. Coli, are practically irrelevant here in so-sparsely populated woods, and they, even 'dreaded' E. coli,, is not a pathogen, except in rare cases involving meat contaminated during packing, where bovine excrement is prevalent. Presence of the organism in drinking water is suggests possible contamination by human pathogens such as Salmonella and Shigella which also travel in feces. In this case, for my money, I'll risk bacterial contamination to avoid consuming chemicals like Chlorine or Bromine.   Thanks again for your replies and suggestions.