State Industries GS6, GSX, GPX manual Discolored Water, Treatment

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BULLETIN 21

DISCOLORED WATER

SYMPTOMS Rusty, brown, black, or yellow water appearing in the hot water.

CAUSES Complaints of discolored water are commonly blamed on water heaters and storage tanks, but in fact, it is a rare occurrence for today’s high quality glass lined tanks to have a lining failure significant enough to allow water to contact enough bare metal to discolor the contents of even a small tank.

The most common cause of “rusty” water is a non-toxic iron reducing bacteria, scientifically termed Crenothrix, Leptothrix, and Gallionella. Iron bacteria is commonly found in soil, water wells, water treatment plants and water distribution piping systems where soluble iron exceeds 0.2 ppm, higher levels make conditions even more favorable. Soluble iron in the water provides food for the bacteria. Rusty discolored water is the end result of the bacteria feeding process. Water heaters and storage tanks usually require new anode rods as presence of iron bacteria contributes to premature anode failure.

The requirements for the bacteria to thrive are:

•Elevated levels of iron and manganese in the water

•Water with little or no dissolved oxygen

•Temperatures below 138°F

Items that can increase the potential for this bacteria are:

•Water softeners

•Well water

•Long periods of no water movement

TREATMENT

The simplest treatment available is shock-chlorination of the system. This is a surface treatment, and often requires repeated trials in heavily infected systems. The chlorination of a system requires that you follow each step explicitly to avoid an un- treated portion of the piping system from reinfecting another part. See Bulletin 23 for the chlorination procedure.

NOTES

Since rusty water is caused by a bacteria presence and is not caused by the water heater, any treatment would not be considered warranty related.

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Contents
06/09 316876-000 Models GPX, GS6, GSX Series 200/201Page Tools Required for servicing gas models Service HandbookFire or Explosion Harzard Insufficient HOT Water No HOT WaterWater Leakage Problem Possible Cause Test / Corrective Action Table of Contents To Fixtures Hot Basic Installation & OperationSee Labels and Installation Instructions Water Supply- Cold Use & Care Guide for clearancesCold Water Temperature-PressureAnode Rod Hot WaterNormal Operation Thermal Cut Off Switch TCO The water heater Basic Installation & Operation Carbon Monoxide Warning Combustion Air RequirementsReference Vent Connectors PER FT Draining the Water Heater Filling the Water Heater Draining and Filling the Water HeaterChecking the GAS Supply Pressure Checking for Sufficient Combustion AIR or Venting IssuesThen Draft Test Thermal Switch Models Testing the Thermocouple and GAS Control VALVE/THERMOSTATRemoving the Burner from the Manifold/ Burner Assembly Removing the Manifold/Burner AssemblyReplacing the Thermocouple Replacing the Thermocouple and GAS Control VALVE/THERMOSTAT Replacing the Manifold/Burner AssemblyExplosion Hazard Removing the Gas Valve Removing and Replacing the Gas Control Valve/ThermostatReplacing the Gas Valve Water Time to Produce 2nd & 3rd Leakage Checkpoints GAS Water Heater Sizing Guide35-36 Technical Bulletins FIX Water Hammer General EffectsMineral BUILD-UP SymptomsCause If tank is new with no lime build-up to any degree Aluminum HydroxideIf tank is new with lime build-up to any degree Causes CondensationDiagnosis Treatment Discolored WaterSmelly Water Procedure Chlorination ProcedureStep Test Not Enough HOT Water GASResults Thermal Expansion Outlet Inlet Cold Water Inlet Valve SHUT-OFF Valve Leaking Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve Insulation Blankets Formulas and Conversions General InformationMM millimeters =Inches X Page Page
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