Read the stain
| Where | Usual suspect |
|---|---|
| Walls, fences, pavers in the spray pattern | Irrigation well |
| Outbuildings or fence lines on a large lot | Well used for irrigation |
| Pool tile and deck | Fill water or overspray |
| Toilets, sinks and laundry indoors | Private drinking well |
| Hot side only | Water heater |
Why public water rarely stains
Broward County's plant, which supplies the water Coconut Creek delivers in Parkland, softens with lime and ferric chloride and then filters. NSID uses nanofiltration and reverse osmosis. Both processes remove most iron. So when stains repeat outdoors, untreated well water is the far more likely source.
Wells on Parkland properties
Parkland has many large lots, including areas such as The Ranches, and big irrigated landscapes. Some homes use an irrigation well to water lawns, and some properties rely on a private well for the house. In Broward County, the Department of Health permits water wells, including irrigation wells. Iron in that water oxidizes on stucco, concrete and pool finishes.
Fixing the source
- Irrigation well: iron treatment on the irrigation line, chosen from the well's test, or rust-control options from your irrigation contractor.
- Drinking well: a well water system with an iron stage configured from the test, often with softening and RO.
- Pool: fill from public water if available, and redirect sprinkler heads.
- Water heater: a plumber's inspection.
Read what to test for orange stains.
Indoor rust on public water
If you are on Coconut Creek or NSID water and see rust indoors, look closer to home: a water heater nearing the end of its life can tint hot water, and corroding fittings or older galvanized sections can release rust after water sits overnight. Brief discoloration after hydrant flushing, such as during the July maintenance period in the NSID area, is different and usually clears after running cold water for a few minutes. If it persists, call your provider.
Pools and outdoor water
Pool decks and tile stain easily when fill water or overspray comes from a well with iron. Pool professionals can treat iron in pool water chemically, but the lasting fix is at the source: fill from public water where available, or treat the well. Where a well feeds only outdoor spigots and landscaping, staining is mostly cosmetic, and treatment is optional unless that water also supplies the house.
Cleaning what is already there
Bleach does not remove iron and can set some stains. Use a rust remover made for the surface, tested on a small area first, especially on pavers, colored stucco and pool finishes. Without fixing the source, stains come back within a few irrigation cycles, which is why the test comes first. Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974 for a free test.
https://www.broward.org/waterservices/WaterQualityReport
https://nsidfl.gov/water_quality_reports/2024.pdf
https://www.cityofparkland.org/904/Water-Utilities
https://broward.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-public-health/water-well-construction/
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist