Iron & Rust in Orange County Water: What You Should Know

If you’ve noticed yellow water, brown spots, or a metallic taste in your tap water, you’re not alone. Across Orange County—from Anaheim and Irvine to Mission Viejo and Fullerton—residents sometimes encounter signs of iron contamination in their water supply. This is particularly common in older neighborhoods or properties with aging plumbing or private wells. While iron is a naturally occurring mineral that the body needs in small amounts, elevated levels of iron can lead to rusty water, plumbing issues, and even potential health concerns over time.

Here’s what you need to know about how iron enters the water in Orange County, the risks of iron buildup, and how Culligan of Orange County can help you protect your home and water quality.

Understanding the different types of iron in your water—and the right solutions for each—is essential to preventing stains, taste issues, and plumbing damage.

Red Iron
Ferric iron is oxidized and visible in water as a reddish tint. It’s responsible for rust-colored stains on laundry, sinks, tubs, and toilets. While small amounts may be removed with a basic water softener, Culligan’s Iron-Cleer® filtration system is designed to specifically target and eliminate red water iron.

Clear Iron
Ferrous iron is dissolved in water and invisible to the eye—until it hits the air and oxidizes, leading to rusty discoloration. This form often comes from groundwater and can typically be removed with a Culligan Water Softener using ion exchange, particularly in homes with lower pH water.

Organic Iron
Organic iron combines with tannins and other natural organic matter in shallow wells or runoff areas. This creates darker water and black residue. Treatment for organic iron usually requires a more customized filtration solution.

Iron Bacteria
These naturally occurring microbes feed on iron in your water, producing slimy deposits in pipes, fixtures, and toilet tanks. They also cause foul odors and unpleasant tastes. While shock chlorination can provide temporary relief, long-term control requires lowering iron levels through filtration.

Most of Orange County’s water comes from two primary sources: the Orange County Groundwater Basin (managed by the Orange County Water District) and imported surface water from the Colorado River and Northern California via the Metropolitan Water District. Although treated to meet all federal and state drinking water standards, issues can still occur due to:

Even homes on a municipal supply may experience discoloration or metallic tastes if plumbing has aged or if sediment is disturbed during maintenance.

While most homes in Orange County are on public water systems, some properties in rural or hillside areas—like Trabuco Canyon, Silverado, or portions of Yorba Linda—still rely on private wells. Iron can enter these wells through:

These issues can lead to yellow or brown water, metallic taste, staining, and buildup on plumbing fixtures.

Iron itself is not considered a primary health hazard by the EPA, but excessive iron—especially when combined with contaminants like arsenic, chlorine byproducts, or sediment—can pose health risks over time.

Those most vulnerable include:

Even if iron levels are below the EPA’s secondary standard of 0.3 mg/L, the presence of iron can still impact your water’s taste, odor, appearance, and plumbing performance. The most accurate way to assess safety is through testing by certified laboratories that can measure precise levels of iron and other contaminants.

Culligan of Orange County offers personalized water treatment solutions to address iron and rust-related issues commonly found in homes throughout the region.

Culligan’s water softeners remove ferrous iron and reduce calcium buildup through ion exchange. The result is soft water that improves plumbing performance, protects appliances, and helps clothes stay brighter in the wash.

If you’re unsure of what’s in your water, Culligan provides free in-home water testing and full laboratory testing services to detect iron, hardness, and other possible contaminants. Our local experts will design a treatment plan tailored to your home and water conditions.

If you’ve been dealing with rust stains, yellow water, metallic taste, or murky tap water, Culligan of Orange County can help. We offer free water testing throughout Orange County—including Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Fullerton, and surrounding communities.

We’ll analyze your water for iron content, calcium levels, and any potential health concerns, then recommend the best treatment method to ensure clean, safe water at every tap in your home.

Don’t let iron, rust, or metallic water reduce your water quality or damage your plumbing. Contact Culligan of Orange County today and take control of your home’s water.