Question for any toxicologists (Iron)

[Urisk]

Hey all, quick question for you guys. Had the water baord round today since we've been having a problem with our water colouration. namely it varies from cloudy to an almost bright orange colour. Now, we haven't drunk it when it's been bright orange (although have no choice but to wash, what else can you do!?), and we've had to call the water board every 2 weeks to flush out the system. Now, today we found out that the mains pipes are iron and that the one for here is not lined. Normally this shouldn't be much of a problem, but being the last house, and the way the pipes were laid, our water sits here, collecting the iron. So essentially our water is being tainted by iron. They did say that if we keep on at them it gives them ammo to go higher to get the pipes pulled up and reworked but I was wondering about the toxicology levels of iron in water. Any help would be great.

[seamusagleann]

when iron occurs naturally in a stream it can be benefical .the shepherds of old would stop by a source and drink even if they wern't thirsty,it was good for their nerves i was once told,but don't think i'd try it in a domestic supply.

[thunder]

If iron was bad for you, people wouldn't drink Iron Brew (Made in Scotland from girders!). But maybe too much of anything can be bad for you. But they wouldn't dare supply you with toxic water.

henrya

[Paul mabbott]

In small doses ferric salts in the water are not harmful - they probably pass straight through but any that doesn't should help you avoid anaemia. There is some evidence that digesting ferric salts in a strong, pure form can cause constipation and generally vague gut upsets ... but you would notice that ....

Yes, it would be better to replace the pipes although with what - lead, toxic plastic? I think the thing is to flush them out regularly in the morning before you use the water for drinking. Certainly won't harm you to wash or bathe in it - might give you a pseudo-sun tan!

[Urisk]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

In small doses ferric salts in the water are not harmful - they probably pass straight through but any that doesn't should help you avoid anaemia. There is some evidence that digesting ferric salts in a strong, pure form can cause constipation and generally vague gut upsets ... but you would notice that ....

Yes, it would be better to replace the pipes although with what - lead, toxic plastic? I think the thing is to flush them out regularly in the morning before you use the water for drinking. Certainly won't harm you to wash or bathe in it - might give you a pseudo-sun tan!

lovely! Nah I think what they're going to do is just add more pipe onto ours, so that we are no longer at the end (so the water will be constantly moving), and end it all with proper lined pipes. Or at least I think that's the plan...

Thanks for everything guys, putting my mind at ease. I didn't think there would be much problems, but it's always nice to back up your thoughts.

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by thunder

If iron was bad for you, people wouldn't drink Iron Brew (Made in Scotland from girders!). But maybe too much of anything can be bad for you. But they wouldn't dare supply you with toxic water.

henrya

Have you seen the state of the average Scotsmans hampsteads?

Iron Brew rots the teeth, even if it is a fantastic hangover cure

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Have you seen the state of the average Scotsmans hampsteads?

Iron Brew rots the teeth, even if it is a fantastic hangover cure

Nah - never look a gift Scotsman in the mouth is my motto!

henrya

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by thunder

. But they wouldn't dare supply you with toxic water.

henrya

remember that village in kent / sussex where they put so much aulm in the water supply that they put 200+ in hospital - not relevant in this case but it does gonto show that you cant trust the water suply implicitly - if it looks or tastes funny dont drink it would be my advice.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by eeyore

if it looks or tastes funny dont drink it would be my advice.

Just "don't drink the water" is better advice - stick to beer (or cider)

henrya

[wildone]

Originally Posted by thunder

Just "don't drink the water" is better advice - stick to beer (or cider)

henrya

Tea made with beer or cider just doesn't quite right.

[thunder]

Never drink tea - but interested to note that youve tried making it with beer or cider. What people will do for a cuppa, eh?

henrya

[APC]

Originally Posted by wildone

Tea made with beer or cider just doesn't quite right.

Cut out the "filler" and just get straight to the booze.

[eeyore]

I wonder if you can ferment tea leaves and make tea flavoured booze ? - could be a wab money spinner - we could call it tider or tager , or possible tale

[Za]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Have you seen the state of the average Scotsmans hampsteads?

Iron Brew rots the teeth, even if it is a fantastic hangover cure

Don`t know what you are talking about!!!!



Za

[Amiguru]

Originally Posted by eeyore

I wonder if you can ferment tea leaves and make tea flavoured booze ? - could be a wab money spinner - we could call it tider or tager , or possible tale

About 20 years ago I was part of the homebrew brigade and made wine out of just about anything organic, even onions One of the most successful was tea wine which turned out to be as close as you could get to a medium sherry

[dragonfly]

my first thought is that if you getting brown or red in the water this is rust as the pipe is braking down so i would say its only a matter of a short while before the pipe gets ahole in it
and then there could be problems of flooding so push to haveit removed asap