Private Wells and Iron

Iron can occur naturally in the groundwater in New Mexico because the water dissolves it out of iron containing rock and soil. Iron can also come from corrosion of iron or steel pipes or well casing.

Drinking water with iron concentrations above 0.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L) may have undesirable color, taste and odor and may contribute to sedimentation or scale (mineral deposit) build up in plumbing systems. Iron build up in plumbing systems may stain plumbing fixtures, reduce water flow and affect water using appliances.

The chemical form of the iron found in water is not easily absorbed by the body. Iron in water may be associated with iron bacteria which are not usually associated with health problems. This bacterium is a smelly biofilm that thrives when iron is present. You will need to troubleshoot the source of the iron, which could be from corrosion of the plumbing system or well structure.

Learn more about Iron and Health.

Learn more about bacteria in well water.

Levels of various naturally-occurring and man-made constituents in New Mexico groundwater including iron, might be elevated above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water secondary standards (related to odor, color and taste). Ongoing drought conditions and aquifer mining have raised further concern that increases in constituents may occur in the absence of significant ground water recharge events. To assure that the water is safe for human consumption, well owners should periodically test their wells.

The information available on this page, including the maps, demonstrates iron found in tested private wells in New Mexico based on the data available from various sources.

To know the iron concentration in your water from your own well, you need to test. It is important to know what type of iron is in your water before choosing a treatment system.

Learn about testing.

Learn about treatment.