Quick Answer:
If you turn on a tap and the water is tea-colored, don’t panic. First check if neighbors have the same problem. Then run the cold tap into a clear container and watch whether the color fades after a minute or two. The cause is often rust or sediment stirred up by a pressure change, city work, or aging pipes — not an immediate catastrophic failure of a main supply line.
Why This Happens
Brown or rust-colored water is usually caused by iron or sediment in the distribution system. Common triggers include:
- Recent utility work, hydrant flushing, or a burst main that disturbs rust in pipes.
- Corrosion inside older iron pipes or supply lines to your home.
- Mineral or sediment buildup in a water heater (if only hot water is affected).
- Temporary pressure changes from nearby construction or heavy use.
Most of the time the issue is temporary and clears after running the tap. Persistent discoloration or particles that don’t clear are more serious and need attention.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Check with neighbors and look for notices
Ask a neighbor or check community alerts to see if others have discolored water. If multiple homes are affected, the local water utility is likely already aware or will respond quickly.
2. Run the cold tap into a clear container
Use a clean, transparent glass or jar and run the cold kitchen tap for 1–3 minutes while watching the water. If the color fades to clear, the problem is likely disturbed sediment in the public main or service line and will often clear with flushing.
3. Compare hot and cold
Turn on hot water separately and compare. If only hot water is brown, the issue may be inside the water heater or its supply lines. If both hot and cold are brown, the issue is upstream in the supply to your home.
4. Check other fixtures and appliances
- Run water at a bathroom sink, basement tap, and an outside spigot to see how widespread it is.
- Note any staining or sediment in washing machine or appliance fills — **Brown water when washing machine fills** can indicate the same supply problem.
5. Reduce use and document
Avoid using water for drinking, cooking, or laundry until it clears. Take photos of the water color and note times; that helps the utility or plumber diagnose the cause.
6. Contact the right people
- If neighbors are affected or there’s a known main repair, call the water utility non-emergency line so they can advise and track the event.
- If only your home is affected, call a plumber to inspect your service line and internal plumbing.
What Not to Do
- Do not start draining the water heater unless you confirm the issue is on the hot side. Draining without confirming can cause needless work and risk to the appliance.
- Do not drink or cook with visibly discolored water until it clears or is tested.
- Do not use bleach or strong cleaners to “fix” colored water in pipes — that does not remove rust and can create other hazards.
When to Call a Professional
- If the discoloration does not clear after running taps for several minutes.
- If you find particles, sediment, or visible corrosion coming from fixtures.
- If there is a sharp loss of water pressure, active leaks, or if only your house is affected and you cannot locate the source.
- If appliances show staining — a plumber can inspect the service line and interior piping.
Safety Notes
- Do not drink discolored water. Use bottled water or boiled water from a known-clear source for drinking and cooking until resolved.
- Avoid running washing machines or dishwashers with brown water to prevent staining fabrics and interiors.
- If you suspect contamination beyond rust (odor, chemical taste, or illness), stop using the water and contact your local health department or water utility for testing advice.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Is the water safe to use for flushing toilets? Yes, flushing is usually fine, but avoid heavy toilet use if water is very dark or has particles.
- How long will it take to clear? Often minutes to a few hours after flushing; persistent issues need a utility or plumber.
- Can I fix this myself? You can run and flush taps and check fixtures, but call a plumber or the utility for persistent discoloration or if only your home is affected.
For more specific scenarios, see guidance on Rust-colored water after city work and other fixture-specific checks.
For more related articles, see the Brown or Rust-Colored Water Events hub.