Arkansas Department of Health & Human Services
Division of Health
Center for Local Public Health - Environmental Health Branch - Engineering Section

Sometimes water contains dissolved iron or manganese, which are natural minerals that are harmless even though they can cause unsightly staining on fixtures and clothing. Iron causes a red or reddish brown stain, while manganese causes a dark brown or black stain. The only way a water system can get rid of the problem is to add extra, more expensive water treatment to filter the iron out or chemically remove it. There are commercial products that can be purchased at plumbing supply shops that can be used on both fixtures and in laundry to remove iron build-up. When public water systems propose to construct new sources, the Department of Health requires that the water system provide treatment for iron and manganese if they exceed the recommended standard. However, since the standards are recommended standards, based on aesthetic concerns rather than health concerns, the Department does not enforce them after the treatment plant is constructed. The water system may decide, because of operational, managerial, or economic problems, to discontinue treatment. If you continue to have problems, you should discuss it first with the water system management, then with the water system's governing body.