Turning on your faucet and seeing brown, orange, or rust-colored water can be alarming. While discoloration does not always indicate a serious water quality problem, it can signal an issue somewhere between the water supply and your faucet. Iron and other minerals, aging plumbing, water heater sediment, and changes within the municipal water system can all affect the appearance of your water.
One of the best ways to narrow down the cause is to pay attention to where and when the discoloration occurs. Is it coming from every faucet or only one? Does it affect both hot and cold water? Answering these questions can help determine what may be happening.
Iron or Manganese in the Water
Brown water does not necessarily mean pieces of rust are flowing through your pipes. Iron and manganese can also cause noticeable discoloration. Iron in water can produce a rusty color, sediment, metallic taste, and reddish or orange staining, while manganese may cause brown or black discoloration [1].
These minerals can be especially noticeable in homes with private wells. Groundwater containing dissolved iron may initially appear clear but develop an orange-brown color or particles after exposure to oxygen [2].
Aging or Corroded Plumbing
Sometimes, the source is inside the home. Older iron plumbing can deteriorate over time, allowing rust and sediment to affect the water flowing through it.
A useful clue is how quickly the problem disappears. Brown or yellow water that appears when you first turn on a faucet but clears after running it can be associated with older iron plumbing inside the home [3]. If the problem regularly returns, it may be time to have aging pipes evaluated.
Sediment or Corrosion in Your Water Heater
Pay attention to whether the discoloration affects hot water, cold water, or both. When only the hot water is discolored, the water heater or hot-water piping may be responsible [3, 4]. Sediment and minerals can accumulate at the bottom of a water heater tank over time and may eventually contribute to discoloration.
A water heater that consistently produces rusty or discolored water may need to be flushed, serviced, or inspected for a larger problem.
Water Main Flushing, Repairs, or Pressure Changes
The source is not always your home’s plumbing. Water main breaks, maintenance, hydrant flushing, and other utility work can temporarily change water pressure and disturb sediment within the distribution system.
A sudden change in water pressure can stir up sediment, trapped air, and naturally occurring minerals, resulting in temporary discoloration [4]. If brown water suddenly appears across multiple cold-water faucets, checking for nearby utility work can help determine whether the issue originates outside your home.
A Problem With Your Private Well
Well owners have additional factors to consider when their water unexpectedly changes color. Iron and manganese naturally occur in some groundwater, but a sudden change should not simply be ignored.
Private wells are not regulated or monitored like public drinking water systems. Well water should be tested at least annually and whenever there is a noticeable change in its color, taste, or smell [5]. Testing can help identify what is affecting the water and determine the appropriate next steps.
When Should You Call a Plumber?
If discolored water persists, repeatedly returns, affects only your hot water, or appears isolated to certain fixtures, the problem may be within your home’s plumbing or water heater. A professional plumber can inspect the system and determine whether corrosion, sediment buildup, aging pipes, or another plumbing issue is responsible.
Get Your Water Running Clear Again
Brown or rust-colored water is a symptom, and finding its source is the first step toward solving the problem. If discolored water keeps showing up at your faucets, contact C.D. Shanahan’s to have your plumbing or water heater professionally evaluated. Our experienced team can identify the source of the issue and recommend the right solution to help restore clean, clear water throughout your home.
Sources:
- https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/secondary-drinking-water-standards-guidance-nuisance-chemicals
- https://extension.psu.edu/iron-and-manganese-in-private-water-systems
- https://www.portland.gov/water/drinking-water-quality/troubleshooting-drinking-water-quality-home/discolored-water
- https://rva.gov/public-utilities/news/understand-discolored-water-common-causes-solutions
- https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/safety/guidelines-for-testing-well-water.html
