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What Causes a Red Color on a Drinking Fountain?

Iron is the cause of red color on drinking fountains and other surfaces that water touches. Iron is very abundant in the environment, and as rain water or snowmelt passes through the soil, iron can seep along with it into aquifers that provide drinking water, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health. In some cases, the MDH explains, iron enters drinking water through the corrosion or steel pipes.

  1. Forms of Iron and Iron Bacteria

    • When iron meets air, a red color develops

      Most iron in water is ferrous, or clear-water, iron. It is dissolved in the water and turns red after being exposed to air. Red-water iron is ferric iron; this iron isn’t dissolved and the water exits the faucet or pipes with a red color. Certain bacteria thrive on iron and leave behind a slime of red, reddish-brown or yellow color. There are many species of these bacteria but the most common are Gallionella, Sphaerotilus, Leptothrix and Crenothrix.

    Effects of Iron and Iron Bacteria

    • Iron bacteria leave behind slime but pose no health risk.

      Iron and iron bacteria on drinking fountains do not pose any health risks. The iron in water supplies 5 percent of our daily requirement for iron. However, iron in water can stain dishes, laundry and plumbing. Excess iron and the slime iron bacteria leave behind can clog plumbing and dishwashers. Iron bacteria slime can also smell offensive, and iron can give a metallic taste to water. Iron can also blacken vegetables when they are cooked in iron-rich water.

    Treatment

    • Notify public health officials about water that smells or tastes funny.

      Ferrous or clear-water iron is removed from water with water softeners. Red-water iron is harder to remove because it clogs treatment systems. Using a water treatment system that injects air or chlorine into the water can remove both forms of iron, as can a manganese greensand filter. Iron bacteria can be removed from water physically, or with heat or chlorine. If you notice a disagreeable odor or taste along with the red color on a drinking fountain, notify your department of public health so that authorities can address the problem.

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