Iron is found on earth mainly as insoluble ferric oxide. When it comes in contact with water, it dissolves to form ferrous bicarbonate under favourable conditions. This ferrous bicarbonate is oxidised into ferric hydroxide, which is a precipitate. Under anaerobic conditions, ferric ion is reduced to soluble ferrous ion. Iron can impart bad taste to the water, causes discolouration in clothes and incrustations in water mains. IS value for drinking water is 0.3 to 1.0 mg/L.