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Does Your Water

Contain Iron?

Rust stains, discolored water, and clogged pipes may stem from iron in your water.

Does Your Water

Contain Iron?

Rust stains, discolored water, and clogged pipes may stem from iron in your water.

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Years in Business

Signs of Iron in Your Water

Have you noticed rusty stains around your faucet or in your bathtub? Does your white clothing come out of the wash looking stained or discolored? It may be due to iron in your water. Although it’s safe to consume, water containing high levels of iron often has a bitter taste, and it can wreak havoc in your home, leaving marks on dishes and laundry and even clogging your pipes.

How Iron Enters Your Water Supply

Iron is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and it often dissolves as rainwater moves through soil and rocks. Eventually, that groundwater becomes your drinking water, and the iron remains in your water supply unless it goes through a filter designed to remove it. Iron can also enter your water via metal pipes and faucets.

What Damage Can Iron-Rich Water Do in Your Home?

Pipes

When your water is high in iron, it can start to collect in — and eventually clog — your pipes, drains, and faucets.

Laundry & Dishes

Once iron begins to oxidize, it leaves water with a rusty tint, which may stain your laundry and dishes.

Fixtures

Water containing iron can leave persistent rusty stains in your bathtub, sink, toilet, and other fixtures.

Drinking Water

While it’s generally safe to drink, water with high levels of iron tends to have a bitter, unpleasant taste.

Removing Iron from Your Water

Twin-tank Kinetico water softeners are extremely effective at removing iron. In some cases, you may need special filters that capture iron, sediment, and other contaminants as well. These can accompany a softener and create a powerful combo.

What Your Neighbors Are Saying

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Wilhelmina Cruz-Vetrano profile picture
Wilhelmina Cruz-Vetrano
1 days ago
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Zach is very knowledgeable and very polite. He figured out and promptly fixed the problem. I am very pleased with the outcome.
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chris pruitt profile picture
chris pruitt
3 days ago
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Really great service Kervin the installer totally professional and very knowledgeable thank you. 5 star rating out of 5
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Gerald Doster profile picture
Gerald Doster
4 days ago
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Kervin was professional, did a good job.
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Jim Mills profile picture
Jim Mills
7 days ago
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The service was outstanding as was the technician! He was professional, pleasant, and prompt!
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Susan Kern profile picture
Susan Kern
9 days ago
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Professional service provided by Duane, Eric and Jason. They are very respectful of the property and they provide attention to detail as if they are installing their own water systems in their own homes. Highly recommend!
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Mary Monzo profile picture
Mary Monzo
11 days ago
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Our service tec Dwane is pleasant seasoned and clear communicator. He’s been scheduled to our system since we had installed. It’s a good company . Treats their clients and employees well .
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David Heron profile picture
David Heron
14 days ago
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Martin Water conditioning came out to our location. They added a neutralizer to our water system. Jeff and Wendell were both very professional and we’re very thorough when it came to the details of what had to be done and we are very pleased. We would definitely use them again. Thank you.
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Joanne Maschi profile picture
Joanne Maschi
15 days ago
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Timely, courteous and excellent work quality.
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R P profile picture
R P
16 days ago
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Worked with Dan salesman came to the house and went through everything he had Eric. H, do our installation. Eric did a great job of fitting all the equipment in a small space, consisting of a water softener. Neutralizer, filter, UV light and reverse osmosis conditioning system. We were very happy with all the work and the equipment that they put in, they did a great job. And we've been using Martins for a while, and we will continue to use Martins. Thanks again for the job you guys did.
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Heather Hooks profile picture
Heather Hooks
16 days ago
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I can't say enough good things about Martin Water Conditioning! The service was top quality from start to finish. The team was professional, punctual, and took the time to explain everything. Their products are excellent, and I noticed a real difference in our water right away. What truly sets Martin apart is their customer service. Everyone was friendly, responsive, and genuinely cared about making sure we were happy. Highly recommend Martin Water Conditioning for quality service, great products, and a team that truly values its customers!
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Matt Bender profile picture
Matt Bender
16 days ago
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Martin Water Conditioning is top notch! Kervin worked at our house all day did an exceptional job with the installation of our full water system. The installation is neat and clean. He was courteous and cleaned up afterwards. Kervin also did a great job explaining the system!!
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David Sheaffer profile picture
David Sheaffer
18 days ago
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Zach and Johnny were great to work with. We are very satisfied with Martin Water taking care of our water system since they replaced our older system. It was brought to our attention that our water heater will probably need replacing, so that will probably be the next job for Martin to take care of. Thanks for the heads up on that issue, Martin Water.
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Colby Stichter profile picture
Colby Stichter
28 days ago
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Kervin installed our new water softener system today and did a great job!
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Bill Phillips profile picture
Bill Phillips
28 days ago
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Duane G was very good about communicating his arrival time. His service was excellent. He also made some good suggestions about ways to improve our drinking water quality
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Patrick Mcgee profile picture
Patrick Mcgee
29 days ago
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​We have been using Martin Water for years to maintain our water filtration system, and they are truly great. Duane came over recently—he is always nice, professional, and takes the time to explain everything he’s doing so we know exactly what to expect. I highly recommend Martin Water for all your water needs!
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Pete Scarano profile picture
Pete Scarano
30 days ago
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Good work!
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Jeff Lotz profile picture
Jeff Lotz
32 days ago
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Kervin was awesome! Very experienced, talented, and skilled. Super clean job. Great with our dogs, too. Definitely recommend!
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Kelly Smith profile picture
Kelly Smith
35 days ago
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We had a great installation experience. Kervin was knowledgeable, worked efficiently and with excellence. He explained everything we needed to know very well and left everything in even better shape than he found it. We are highly satisfied with the system and the service we received.
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Tim Stahl profile picture
Tim Stahl
36 days ago
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Very impressed with Martin Water Conditioning! From Loren coming out to test our well water and walking us through and educating us about our options to Kelton and Jaishun handling the installation, the entire process was smooth and easy. The installers were polite, professional, and great to work with. Our well water is no longer acidic, and we finally have soft water again! We’re very happy with the results and highly recommend their team. Amazing job from start to finish, save yourself the trouble and headache and just call these guys.
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David Anderson profile picture
David Anderson
38 days ago
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Another year has past and we just had our yearly Kinetico Water System serviced, that makes 20 years of fantastic water ! Thank you Zach for the professional service you provided.
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Laura Wozniski profile picture
Laura Wozniski
38 days ago
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Very efficient. My house had no mess. KERVIN WAS POLITE AND EFFICIENT. THANK YOU.
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Andy LaFaver profile picture
Andy LaFaver
39 days ago
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Eric from Martin Water came to our home and installed a new water softener system. He was fantastic. Got the job completed. No issues and it looks great. He instructed us on how to do basic servicing. I highly recommend this company for your plumbing needs.
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Trisha Fittipaldi profile picture
Trisha Fittipaldi
42 days ago
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Duane is our Martin tech every year. He explains in easy to understand terms how safe our water is, what the filtration system is doing and how much life is has left, as well as what each filter can do to keep our drinking water safe. As someone who never has well water before I greatly appreciate his clear explanations and thorough work. If you can choose a check choose Duane!
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Carl Deitrich profile picture
Carl Deitrich
43 days ago
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All of the Martin businesses are run extremely well and for a few years now we have been using them exclusively for our water conditioner, flooring, and furniture needs. They are very professional and courteous to a fault. Today Kervin came and installed a new neutralizer, softener, salt tub, and RO system. Our previous system was installed by Martin's and we decided to replace it under a deal they were running. They called it an out of warranty replacement. It came with an over $2,000.00 discount / rebate for the old equipment, 0% financing for a year, a 1 year labor warranty, and a 10 year parts warranty. Kelvin was very friendly, efficient, and did a very nice clean install.
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Tom Bird profile picture
Tom Bird
43 days ago
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Dwayne was a great salesman. He explained everything thoroughly and gave us some discounts. Eric and Jason did an excellent job with the installation of the system. Upon completion they reviewed all the components of the system with me. They were very effective, efficient, courteous, and polite.
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Frequently Asked Questions

In most homes, iron in water is considered a nuisance issue rather than a health concern. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) classifies iron as a secondary contaminant, meaning it’s regulated for taste, odor, and staining, not safety.

That said, elevated iron levels can affect overall water quality and may point to other issues worth testing for. While it’s generally safe to drink, many homeowners choose to treat iron to improve their water’s taste, prevent staining, and protect their plumbing system.
Yes. Iron in water can leave a residue on your skin and hair, which may cause dryness or make your skin feel less clean after bathing. Over time, it can also make hair feel dull, brittle, or harder to manage.

For lighter hair colors, iron can even cause subtle discoloration or a reddish tint. While not harmful, these effects can be frustrating and are a common reason homeowners choose to treat iron in their water.
Yes, especially if the problem goes untreated over time. Iron stains on dishes and glassware can become difficult to remove, and fabric stains that set through repeated washing and drying can become permanent. Inside your plumbing, iron can build up gradually, restricting water flow and putting added strain on fixtures and appliances.

The good news is that early treatment makes a big difference. Stains are much easier to remove before they set, and buildup caught early is far less expensive to address than long-term damage.
It depends on the type and level of iron in your water. A water softener can remove small amounts of dissolved iron, along with hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium. However, higher levels of iron, visible particles, or iron bacteria usually require a dedicated iron-filtration system.

In many cases, the most effective solution is a combination. An iron filter removes the bulk of the iron first, followed by a water softener to improve overall water quality. A water test will determine exactly what’s present and which system is the best fit.
Iron in your water is not typically a health emergency, but it’s not something that improves on its own. In most cases, iron levels stay the same or gradually get worse over time.

As iron continues to build up, staining becomes more difficult to remove, and deposits can accumulate in pipes, fixtures, and appliances. This can reduce their efficiency and lead to premature wear or costly repairs.

Addressing the issue early is usually simpler and more cost-effective than waiting until the problem becomes more severe. A water test can help determine how significant the issue is and what level of treatment makes sense for you.

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When you need water conditioning services, trust Martin Water. For your no-obligation water analysis or for more information about our premium products, industry-leading warranties, and reliable service, contact us today!

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