When water changes color, it is not confined to a few isolated locations. Breaks in the main water line, firefighters at work, and autos crashing into fire hydrants can all increase or decrease the flow of water via the main lines. This can also cause temporary discoloration of the water. Various water distribution networks are also experiencing this brief issue.
Types of Discolored Water
Your water may occasionally seem yellow or brown due to various factors. Each is explained briefly below as sourced from Denver plumbers.
Yellow Water
When the water delivered to your home becomes yellow, it might indicate that it has a high percentage of iron and has been exposed to oxygen. This may eventually result in corrosion.
Municipal utility flushing is another typical cause of yellow water. Local water providers flush their main lines every few months to eliminate all the rubbish and waste that has accumulated and become stuck inside the pipes. This is especially true if the staining of the water occurs rapidly.
Water can become yellow due to the fact that it absorbs some of rust particles during flushing. If this is the case, you may anticipate yellow water to disappear eventually.
Brown Water
This is more common with well water, and the cause is similar to the reason for yellow water. However, in the case of the former, the coloring might be attributable to a high manganese content.
If the brown water appears abruptly and the well is shallow, the discoloration suggests that your well is suffering from surface filtration and may eventually collapse. It also indicates that the water includes toxins that have been brought up from the ground. In this instance, one option to repair brown water is installing a filter system.
Is It Safe To Drink Discolored Water?
When the water in your house becomes yellow or brown, naturally occurring minerals, which are usually safe, might be the culprit. Conversely, brown water may have a disagreeable taste and smell, but this does not always imply that it is harmful. Still, it’s wise not to assume that the water is safe to drink, mainly if the coloring occurs unexpectedly.
Although rust, iron, and other particles in water are not considered harmful to health, filtration is strongly recommended until you can determine what caused the coloring. This is especially true in the case of private wells, where the change in hue might indicate groundwater pollution.
Causes of Water Discoloration
Many water changes are challenging to observe, but some are evident. Here are some of the possible causes of murky or hazy water.
Natural Minerals
Water discoloration is mainly produced by minerals that are abundant in nature. These are often heavier than water and settle to the bottom of water mains.
On the other hand, the pressure might cause the water running through the pipes to shift direction or increase in volume. When this occurs, the minerals deposited at the pipe’s bottom are disturbed, and they can then mix with the running water, causing discoloration.
New Water Source
When a new source is introduced, it is one of the primary causes of changes in water quality. Water can have varying properties, including flow rate, depending on how it is linked to a new principal switch line. This can affect the flavor, fragrance, color, and even the healthfulness of your water.
Air
Moving or passing air might accidentally enter and become stuck inside regions where the water delivery system has an open structure. This can affect water quality, making it seem milky or hazy when you turn on the faucet.
Rainwater
When it rains, numerous pollutants can run down and into adjacent rivers and water systems, affecting the color of your water. These pollutants might be motor oil from passing automobiles on the roadway, fracking operation residues, or agricultural pesticide remnants.
Corroded Pipelines
Over time, cast iron and lead pipes can corrode, resulting in rust that can be absorbed into the water. Manganese and iron make your water yellowish-brown, while lead can make it darker and bring in small particles. O-rings and gaskets made of rubber plumbing materials can also sustain wear and strain, disintegrating into visible black particles and making their way into water pipes.
Organic Substances
Water supply pipes become blocked with dirt and other particles over time. Above-ground activity, such as a water main break or a sudden increase in water service demand, can hasten the clogging process, causing your water to appear yellowish or brownish momentarily.
What to Do When Water Discoloration Occurs
Usually, any change in the color of the water is transient; if this occurs, switch on your cold water faucet for around 10 minutes. This should remove the color from the water and clean your interior plumbing.
Flushing your toilet at least twice a day is recommended. If there is discoloration in the water, the first cold water flush should clear it up, but if it doesn’t, wait an hour before flushing again. There’s no need to be concerned about your water bill because two consecutive toilet flushes should not influence your water use.
Conclusion
Water discoloration is a typical plumbing issue that homeowners experience. There’s no need to panic if you discover visible water discoloration in your supply line. The situation is usually transient, but if it lasts more than a day, it’s best to start contacting a professional plumber to ensure that no problems ensue shortly in the future.
