Rusty Water Leaking From the Ice Dispenser

Leak

• The leak from the ice dispenser is only likely to come from two sources, both of which should be easily recognizable with a quick inspection. A water line is connected to the ice dispenser to provide the water needed to form the ice. If the water line becomes loose, it is going to cause water to spill into the ice cube tray. The dispenser is not watertight, so the water leaks before it freezes. You should be able to see the water leak by inspecting the dispenser. If the freezer gets above freezing, everything starts to melt. Some of the melt water could fall into the ice dispenser to form the leak. Touch the frost on the surface of the freezer racks, if it feels wet, it means it is melting. The problem could simply be the door being left open, but it may also indicate the freezer is starting to fail.

Internal Rust

• The rust coloration to the leak could come from within the refrigerator itself. Examine the metal blades in the ice dispenser. If they are the source of the rust, then you should easily be able to see the rust on the blades. Any type of steel blade could potentially rust. It is unlikely the blades are going to be the source of the rust, but it is a possibility.

External Rust

• The most likely source of the rust discoloration is sedimentation within the water supply to your home. The sedimentation may not be rust but other minerals that create a similar rusty color. The faucets in your home should also be affected by the same sediment. The source of this sediment is in the water mains, which means you cannot fix the issue yourself. You are going to need to wait for the water utility company to address the issue.

Health Risks

• Rusty water leaking from the ice dispenser does not necessarily indicate the ice being produced is unsafe. Contrary to popular belief, rust is not an inherently dangerous compound. Most rusty objects tend to be dirty and contaminated with bacteria. The bacteria are what pose the actual health hazard. You should not use ice produced by the dispenser in case there is also a bacteria contamination, but the water discoloration alone does not actually indicate it is harmful.