Brown Water From the Faucet: Is It Safe and What Causes It?

Brown, yellow or rusty water is alarming but usually explainable. The key is to figure out whether it is coming from your home's plumbing or the water supply.

Only the hot water is brown

The problem is your water heater. The tank is rusting from the inside or sediment is being stirred up. Have the tank flushed and the anode rod checked — see water heater repair. Rust from a tank older than 10 years usually means water heater replacement is near.

Hot and cold are both brown

If it started suddenly, check with neighbors — municipal hydrant flushing or a main break stirs up sediment and clears in a few hours. If it is ongoing, your galvanized pipes are corroding from the inside. That is a job for repiping & whole house repipe, and in the meantime you may also notice low pressure.

Only one faucet

A corroded supply line or a scaled fixture. Faucet repair or a new supply line usually fixes it.

Is it safe?

Iron discoloration is generally not a health risk, but do not drink water that smells or has a chemical taste, and run cold water until it clears before doing laundry.

Need a plumber in Idaho?

Santaana Emergency Plumbing serves every city in Idaho with 24/7 emergency service and same-day appointments. Find your city or call (888) 480-9811.