Tap water looks rusty brown, yellowish, or reddish when it contains an excess of sediment or minerals. The most common discoloring minerals present in water are iron and manganese.
Tiny metallic deposits of these minerals can get into the water stream via several different sources — natural or manmade. These minerals can also be responsible for any unpleasant tastes or smells your water might have. It depends on the particular minerals in your water, but probably not. The EPA regulates the treatment of drinking water contaminants according to primary and secondary standards.
Dangerous contaminants like lead and arsenic are covered by the primary regulations. The secondary EPA regulations cover contaminants like iron and manganese. Public water systems are compelled to test for primary contaminants on a regular basis but testing for secondary contaminants is unfortunately voluntary. Any of the following symptoms could cause brown water from the faucets in your home.
Diagnose your water problem using these three common scenarios:. I t may be the result of a nearby break in a city-operated water main or fire hydrant. The problem is probably with a particular water supply pipe. Now that you have an idea of what caused your rusty water discoloration in the first place, you know where to start:. You'll want to investigate immediately to figure out what is causing discoloration in your water.
Sudden changes in the water's color can indicate contamination, changes in mineral concentration or other problems in the home that require your attention. There are several ways to resolve this issue — read on to find out more. Discolored water is usually yellow, brown or orange. Discoloration can indicate a change in the filtration or water supply to your home if it appears suddenly.
It typically contains minerals, rust and other sediments that influence its appearance. The number one cause of discolored water in the home is a high concentration of natural minerals in the water supply, such as iron and manganese.
Minerals are heavier than the water itself and can settle in pipes when the water usage is low. You may notice discoloration in your water when you first turn on the tap after being away on a long vacation because the water has been sitting stagnant in the pipes. Your water should return to a normal color as you run it.
If the water changes color within the same day and there's no change in usage, you will need to further investigate the cause of discoloration. Potential causes can include:. Discolored water may also indicate recent work on the water system for the city, altering the level of flow through the water lines. Yellow water in your home is usually a sign of high levels of iron in your water.
When this occurs, the iron has likely been exposed to oxygen, leading to rust. Local incidents like a water main break can also be responsible for stirring up sediments in the pipes as the water moves more quickly.
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.
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Get A Free Quote. If you are experiencing brown water in your toilet and sink , it can be alarming. But it may be more common than you think. Here are some common causes for this unsettling occurrence. Inside a city water main. Older water lines in your home are corroding. Periods of high rains or drought have changed the water table. High demand for water in times of drought. Recent Articles. Get A Free Quote Call us today at , or fill out the form below, to get a free quote for your water solutions.
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