What To Do When Your Water Is Discolored?

I own a plumbing shop in Delhi and I can tell you that many of our clients occasionally complain about the abrupt appearance of discolored water from faucet. It is crucial to realise that there are a few potential causes for this kind of water discolouration if it has ever happened to you. The water may be entirely safe to drink in the majority of situations, but it occasionally may be contaminated and constitute a serious health concern.

What causes discolored tap water?

Water discolouration is typically caused by naturally existing minerals (mainly manganese and iron) moving with the water. When there is less water use, particularly in the winter, these minerals, which are heavier than water, settle in water pipelines.

Reasons for water discoloured from tap

Let me tell you about a few of the causes of water discolouration:

NEW WATER SOURCE CAUSING DISCOLORATION

One of the most typical sources of changes in water quality is a new or fresh water source, like a river or reservoir. The switch could alter the flow of the water or give it mixed properties, which could have an impact on the water's appearance, flavour, and healthfulness.

ORGANIC MATERIAL

In water supply lines, dirt and other naturally occurring sediments settle to the bottom. If anything accelerates the flow of water through the pipes, such as increased demand for services, battling a fire, or a water main break, the sediment may be stirred up and the water may turn brown or yellow.

PIPE MATERIAL DISCOLORING TAP WATER

Rust and other components from the pipe flake off into the water when cast iron and lead pipes corrode over time. Iron and manganese give the water an orange to a brown hue, while lead may cause the water to become darker and contain tiny particles. 

AIR

Water that has additional air trapped or moving through it may seem foggy or milky white.

UPSTREAM POLLUTION

Rainwater can wash toxins into the groundwater or surface water that supplies your tap, including motor oil from highways, drilling waste, and pesticides from agricultural communities.

What to do when your water is discolored?

Running cold water from your faucet for at least 20 minutes will permanently eliminate brown water from your property. Contact your city's utility company and ask them to flush the brown water out using a fire hydrant if the water is still brown after doing this. Call the experts if the issue still exists after this.

Next, determine whether the discoloured water in your home is exclusively coming from the hot or cold water. If the issue is limited to hot water, your water heater may be at fault. It might need to be flushed. Once you're certain that the brown water is coming from your home's hot water heater, call Rick's Plumbing to schedule a water heater check.

Although it can be a pain, discoloured water is typically not harmful. The rust in the pipes is typically to blame for the colour, which is not harmful to your health. After trying these fixes, if the issue still exists, contact a licenced plumber. They will be able to assist you in identifying and fixing the issue's root cause.

Now you can take quick action if you see discolored water from faucet.