Sort it out in five minutes
- If Sudden, and neighbors have it
- Utility work or a main break. Run the cold tap in the bathtub until clear, avoid laundry until then, and check the utility's notices.
- If Only hot water is discolored
- Water heater sediment or a corroding tank. See water heater repair.
- If Brown first thing in the morning, then clears
- Water sitting in corroding pipes overnight. Common with galvanized steel.
- If Persistent at one faucet
- That fixture's supply line or a section of old pipe.
- If Persistent everywhere, home built before about 1960
- Galvanized supply pipe at the end of its life. See repiping.
Causes in detail
Iron sediment from the city main
Most commonTell: Sudden, temporary, affects the street.
Fix: Run cold water until clear; report it if it doesn't clear.
Galvanized pipe corrosion
Most commonTell: Older home, gradually worse, with falling pressure.
Fix: Replace the galvanized sections or repipe.
Water heater rust
PossibleTell: Hot side only; rust under the tank.
Fix: Flush; replace if the tank is corroding.
Iron or manganese in well water
PossibleTell: Private well; stains on fixtures and laundry.
Fix: Test the water, then treat it.
Is it safe to drink?
Iron discoloration is mainly an aesthetic problem, but discolored water can also carry other material from old pipes. Avoid drinking it until it runs clear, and don't use it for baby formula.
In older homes, ask whether your service line could be lead. Many utilities now publish service line inventories, and some cities run replacement programs; see your city's page in our location guides.
What to try first
Run cold water at the tub
The tub faucet has no aerator to clog. Run it for several minutes and watch whether it clears.
Compare hot and cold
Fill a white cup from each. Color in only the hot cup points to the water heater.
Check with the utility
Utilities announce hydrant flushing and main breaks; a quick call confirms whether it's on their side.
When to call a plumber
- It persists at your house after the utility says the main is clear.
- Pressure is dropping along with the discoloration.
- Hot water is rusty and the heater is older than about 10 years.
More questions
Why does brown water come out only in the morning?
Water that sat overnight in corroding steel pipes picks up rust. Running it clears the pipes for the day, but the corrosion continues.
Will brown water stain laundry?
Yes. Wait until the water runs clear before doing laundry; if clothes are stained, don't dry them until the stain is treated.