USGS Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why is our porcelain sink stained brown?

Answer:

The brown stain is from a large amount of iron in your water. It is closely related to simple rust you see on metal, which is iron oxide. The source of the water you use probably is ground water, and the water has filtered through rocks containing iron-rich minerals on the way to the well.

Source of this FAQ:
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/qachemical.html

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