Quick Answer:

If your shower water comes out cloudy, brown, or otherwise dirty right after a shutoff, repair, or other change to the supply, it’s usually caused by disturbed sediment, rust, or trapped air in the pipes. Run the water briefly to flush the lines, check other fixtures to see whether the problem is only the shower, and clean the shower head or screen if needed. If the water remains discolored or has a strong smell, stop using it for drinking or bathing and get help. For more on problems right after a shutoff, see water smells or looks dirty after a shutoff. If you recently closed a valve and reopened it, review how to turn water back on safely.

Why This Happens

When water flow is interrupted or pressure changes—because of a shutoff, a repair, municipal work, or switching a water main—sediment and rust that normally sit in the pipes can get stirred up. That material travels with the water and shows up as cloudiness, brown or yellow tint, or visible particles. Hot-water systems can also release accumulated sediment when the heater is drained or when hot water is pulled after a shutdown.

Step-by-Step What to Do

1. Check other fixtures

Before doing anything else, check sinks, tubs, outdoor spigots, and the cold and hot supplies. If discoloration is present throughout the house, it’s likely a main supply or utility issue. If it’s only the shower, the problem may be local to that fixture or the hot-water heater.

2. Run the water briefly to clear the lines

Open the shower and let cold water run for a minute or two, then run hot water separately. Often the first flow contains most of the sediment. Keep running until the water clears or for several minutes if needed. If you recently had a shutoff, this flushing is usually enough to remove the discolored water.

3. Clean the shower head and screen

Mineral deposits and trapped particles collect at the shower head and any fine screen or aerator. Turn off the water, remove the shower head or unscrew the screen if your model has one, and flush it under running water. If mineral buildup is present, soak parts in a solution of vinegar and water for 30–60 minutes, scrub gently with an old toothbrush, then rinse and reinstall.

4. Check the water heater and filters

If discoloration appears mainly with hot water, check your water heater for sediment. Flushing the heater (or having a technician do it) can fix rust-colored hot water. Also check any whole-house filters, softeners, or point-of-use filters—sediment can clog or foul those and cause color or odor issues.

5. Stop using and seek help if it persists

If flushing and cleaning don’t clear the water, or if you see dark brown water, persistent cloudiness, or a sewage or chemical smell, stop using the water for drinking, cooking, and bathing until the cause is identified. Call your water utility if multiple fixtures are affected or there’s a known municipal repair, and call a licensed plumber if the issue looks limited to your home.

What Not to Do

• Do not drink discolored water until it clears.
• Do not assume it’s permanent.
• Do not ignore strong odors or persistent discoloration.

When to Call a Professional

• Contact your water utility if the problem affects the whole neighborhood, follows municipal work, or if you detect a sewage-like smell.
• Call a licensed plumber if the discoloration is limited to your home, if only hot water is affected, or if flushing and cleaning the shower head do not help.
• If you suspect contamination (chemical smell, ongoing dark color, or illness symptoms after using the water), treat the water as unsafe and call your utility immediately and consider alternative water sources.

Safety Notes

• Avoid drinking, preparing food, or giving the water to infants until it clears or the supplier confirms it’s safe.
• Avoid bathing open wounds or letting infants and immunocompromised people bathe in heavily discolored water.
• Document the problem with photos and notes (time, fixtures affected) before you flush—utilities and plumbers may ask for details.

Common Homeowner Questions

• Q: How long should I run the water before it clears?
  A: Usually a few minutes is enough; if it’s due to a recent shutoff, run until the color clears or for 5–10 minutes.
• Q: Is brown water dangerous?
  A: Discolored water from rust or sediment is usually not toxic but should not be consumed until it clears; persistent or foul-smelling water could be hazardous.
• Q: Will a shower head clean fix it?
  A: Cleaning the shower head often helps if the problem is local to that fixture; if discoloration is widespread, the source is likely elsewhere.