Why is the Water in my Toilet Tank Dirty?

The inside of your toilet tank is nobody’s favorite place to look or clean. Whatever makes you need to lift the lid and look inside is enough of an issue already, but if you notice that the water in your toilet tank looks dirty, it’s bound to put a whole new set of concerns in your mind! There are many causes of water discoloration. If your toilet tank is a very dark black, you probably have high levels of manganese in your water. If the stains are more brown, iron will likely travel with your water, and the presence of iron can open a whole new can of worms… If the water in the back of your toilet is not just brown water but a thick, slimy mess, there’s a good chance that iron bacteria is growing in your toilet tank. Iron bacteria, as its name implies, is a bacteria that attaches to iron particles in the water. It isn’t dangerous in average amounts, but it’s still a nuisance most people would rather live without.

Can Iron Bacteria Make You Sick?

Iron bacteria, despite having a scary name, is not known to cause illnesses in humans or even most animals. The slimy or oily residue it can sometimes leave on the surface of the water in a toilet tank still makes people worried about the purity of their water. It looks revolting, smells awful, and is difficult to clean out. If iron bacteria is plaguing the inside of your toilet tank, you might have it growing in other areas of your home as well. It thrives in any water pool with iron and goes undisturbed for long periods, like inside your water heater. Even if it can’t hurt you, iron bacteria usually makes people opt for wasteful bottled water or sugary drinks instead because they don’t like the taste or smell of their water.

How Do I Know If I Have Iron Bacteria?

If you notice a slimy layer around the average water level inside your toilet tank, this is likely caused by iron bacteria. Additional brownness or other discoloration to the tank itself isn’t caused by the bacteria alone but most likely because of excess iron or manganese in the water. These problems usually only arise if a well supplies your home’s water. Municipal water supplies will usually treat most metals, so iron bacteria contamination and iron staining are less common but not unheard of.

What Kind of Water Treatment System Does My Home Need?

The EV1 Conditioner, EV2 Conditioner, and the EVFE water filtration systems are all effective at treating iron contamination in water. Finding out which method is the right one for you is difficult without a water expert's help. All Evolve® authorized water treatment experts are trained to test your water and customize a solution that will turn your water into something you are excited to drink, wash with, and use in your appliances. Partnering with a water expert means fewer steps between you and better water.

An in-home water test by an Evolve® authorized dealer will teach you some things. Still, if water-borne illness is your concern, you can have your water sent to a laboratory to be tested for bacteria and other problematic contaminants. Either way, you need to call your local Evolve® authorized dealer today to get a quality water treatment system installed.

How Do You Get Rid of Iron Bacteria and Iron Stains?

If you have iron bacteria in your toilet tank, a few extra flushes won’t change anything. You can add chlorine bleach to the back of your toilet and let it soak to remove the existing bacteria, but it may still return. The root of the problem lies in excess iron in your water supply. No matter how you treat it, iron bacteria can be produced until that problem is solved. The answer to iron and iron bacteria is water treatment. A comprehensive water filtration system can not only eliminate your iron and iron bacteria concerns but also give you water that tastes better, smells better, and doesn’t leave hard water stains or limescale.

Does my Water Look Dirty Because it is Hard?

While hard water is a problem many people face, it is usually not why your toilet tank is stained. Hard water is responsible for the white crusty scale left behind on faucets, sinks and tubs, shower doors, and around shower head nozzles. Although the scale deposits look dirty, hard water's calcium and magnesium leave light-colored, gritty residue on everything it touches. It isn't because of hard water if your water is staining your toilet tank brown, red, or orange.

However, iron and manganese are often found in well water sources that also experience hard water issues. A few Evolve® products, like the EV1 and the EV2 water conditioners, can soften water and remove iron and other metals. Using unique Crystal-Right media and the technology behind its formation, you can unlock the full potential of your water, giving you fresher, better-tasting water right from the tap.

How to Get Rid of Iron Bacteria in My Toilet Tank

Cleaning the inside of your toilet tank will only take you so far. Instead, treat the problem at its source and install an Evolve® water treatment system in your home. Contact your local Evolve® dealer today to learn more about your options!