Living in New York City, you have a reasonable expectation that when you turn on the faucet, the water that comes out will be clean, clear, and odor free. So when brown water emerges from the taps, there’s definitely a problem.
As New York City plumbers, we hear this question a lot: why is there brown water coming out of my faucet? The first question we will have in return is did something happen in the neighborhood to disrupt the water supply? Water main breaks and other municipal issues can sometimes cause this type of disruption: you may hear boil water orders for your community during these times.
If the brown water is the result of a citywide or neighborhood event—like a water main break, hydrant flushing, or maintenance on the municipal supply—it’s usually temporary. In most cases, these issues clear up on their own within a couple of hours, though occasionally it can take several days for water to return to normal. During this time, it’s best to avoid using hot water if possible. Running hot water can draw the discolored water into your water heater, making the problem last even longer.
What should you do?
Wait it out and run only cold water until it clears. If your area experiences frequent issues with discolored water, installing a whole-house water filter can be a wise precaution to help keep your water clean and safe for everyday use.
Common Causes of Brown Water
However, if the brown water issue is isolated to your house, the question then becomes what’s wrong with your pipes. The most common cause of brown water is that the rust that’s accumulated on the inside of the pipes has broken free and entered the water, causing discoloration.
There are a few reasons that the rust can break free from the pipes. One potential cause is a change in water pressure within the pipes. This can happen if there’s been a sudden change in demand for water in the house – for example, you’re using a faucet that hasn’t been used in a while. Water surges caused by nearby construction, municipal water service, or the use of fire hydrants in your area can also contribute to brown water.
How to Get Stop Brown Water from Coming from the Faucets
If you have brown water coming from your faucets, your first remedy is to let the water run for some time and see if the water clears up. This is the easiest, most common solution and is often all that is needed in instances where a faucet has not been used in some time. However, if that doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s time to call your local plumber for assistance.
The most common remedy for persistent brown water issues is having a water filtration system installed. Water filtration systems remove iron oxide – rust – and other particulate matter from your water supply. This means no brown water in your sink, shower, dishwasher or washing machine.
When to Contact Your City or Water Provider
If you’ve tried flushing your taps and the brown or murky water issue still hasn’t cleared up—or if you’re seeing discoloration from every faucet in the house—it may be more than just an isolated plumbing problem. In this case, it’s a good idea to reach out to your city or local water provider to report the issue and ask if there’s any work happening in your area that might be affecting the water supply. They can let you know if there are known problems, planned maintenance, or boil water advisories you should be aware of.
Your water provider will also be able to investigate further, especially if the issue doesn’t resolve after a day or two, or if neighbors are experiencing the same thing. Don’t hesitate to make the call—staying informed means you’ll know when it’s something bigger than your own pipes, and you’ll also help the city identify and address any widespread water quality problems faster.
