Groundwater often contains iron, manganese and arsenic originating from natural geological layer and/or mineral resources. The presence of iron and manganese in water is not considered a health problem but may cause staining and offensive tastes and odors. Four forms of iron commonly found in drinking water are ferrous, ferric, organic and iron bacteria. In well water, insoluble iron oxide is converted to a soluble form of ferrous (dissolved) iron. Ferrous iron is colorless, but when in contact with air, it oxidizes readily, creating reddish- brown, solid particles that then settle out as ferric oxide. Manganese is similar to iron but forms a brownish-black precipitate and stains. It is less commonly found in groundwater than iron, rarely found alone in a water source.
Groundwater often contains iron, manganese and arsenic originating from natural geological layer |