Why does city water turn brown

Run the cold and hold water to establish whether the brown water is coming from hot or cold water. If the brown tap water is from hot water, your water heater may need to be flushed out or replaced. Hands-free dispensing. Why does my water Why does my water look brown? Latest Articles The business case for safe and sustainable hydration Read more. World Mental Health Day Read more. The importance of promoting employee wellness alongside sustainable hydration Read more.

Tackling the forgotten plastic pandemic: climate change Read more. Follow us:. This can result in yellow water running from your taps spontaneously.

If you have brown well water, the cause might be similar to instances of yellow water. The most common reason for brown water in the toilet or from your taps is a high iron or manganese concentration in the water supply. With a well — especially a shallow one — a sudden onset of brown water could indicate surface filtration or a well collapse.

In this case, you should not drink the water because there may be contaminants from the ground level. The majority of the time, naturally occurring minerals are the cause of yellow or brown water in your home.

These are generally harmless. Brown water coming from the tap is unappealing and can sometimes come with a tangy taste or smell. While this doesn't mean it's unsafe, it's best not to assume your water is okay to drink if you notice a sudden onset of discoloration.

Rust, iron and other sediments in the water are not known health concerns, but until you've identified the cause behind the discoloration, you should filter the water or use bottled water for drinking. This is especially important if you're on a private well. When your well water is brown, this could mean groundwater is contaminating your water supply.

If the problem persists, you can take a water sample to be tested locally. Also, remember that brown or yellow water can damage your clothes if you wash them, and it can stain the fixtures in your home over a prolonged period. That's why it's critical to investigate and resolve instances of discolored water quickly.

See what plans are available in your neighborhood. HomeServe uses cookies to recognize repeat visits and to enhance your experience on our site. By continuing to use this website you agree with our use of cookies. Privacy Policy. Here are some of the common reasons why you are suddenly noticing brown water.

One of the most common reasons why the water in your home has turned brown is that there has been a disturbance in the minerals or sediment in your water. Minerals and sediment are naturally occurring in water and in pipes. If there has been construction near your home or work being done on the main water line, it could cause a disturbance.

Normally, this problem will correct itself within a few hours. A larger concern that will require professional plumbing support is if you have rusty pipes. While pipes can last for a long time, they always have a change of corroding. If the pipes in your home are corroding badly, it could cause rust to get into your pipes. This could cause the water in your home to turn into a brownish color.