Why is my water discolored (brown, yellow, or rusty)?

Discolored water should always be reported to us so we can investigate the cause and ensure your water is safe. While discoloration is often harmless, we take these reports seriously.

Common causes of discoloration:

System disturbances:

• Water main breaks or repairs
• Fire hydrant use or testing
• Changes in water flow direction or pressure
• System maintenance or flushing

These activities can stir up naturally occurring minerals that have settled in pipes over time.

Iron and manganese:

• Natural minerals that can cause brown, yellow, or rusty colored water
• The EPA considers these “secondary contaminants” - aesthetic concerns rather than health hazards
• More common in systems like ours that use groundwater sources
• Can accumulate in pipes and be disturbed by pressure changes

Internal plumbing:

• Older pipes in your home or property
• Hot water heater sediment
• Corrosion in private plumbing

What we do to prevent discoloration:

• Conduct regular system flushing to remove accumulated minerals
• Maintain optimal water chemistry to minimize corrosion
• Follow EPA corrosion control requirements
• Perform routine maintenance on water mains and infrastructure
• Monitor water quality throughout the distribution system

EPA standards and safety:

We comply with EPA regulations for water treatment and distribution. While iron and manganese are not health concerns at typical levels, we monitor water quality to minimize aesthetic issues and maintain customer satisfaction.

What you should do:

If you notice discolored water:

1. Contact our office immediately - we need to know about discoloration to investigate
2. Avoid using hot water until we assess the situation (to prevent staining)
3. Run cold water for a few minutes from a faucet on the lowest level of your home
4. If water doesn’t clear after 5-10 minutes, stop running it and wait for our assessment

Do not:

• Wash laundry until the water runs clear (iron can stain clothing)
• Assume it’s safe without contacting us

We respond promptly to discoloration reports and will investigate the cause to ensure your water quality meets all safety standards. For more information about reporting water quality concerns, see What should I do if I’m concerned about my water quality?