Quick answer
Brown or rusty water usually comes from one of three places. If it appeared suddenly in cold water, and neighbors have it too, the city is flushing hydrants or working on a main; run the cold tap for several minutes and it usually clears. If only the hot water is brown, the water heater has sediment or a corroding tank. If it is worst first thing in the morning and the house has old galvanized pipe, the pipe is rusting inside. Do not run laundry until it clears. Call (888) 217-6781 to reach a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed November 4, 2026· Next review May 2027
Brown, orange or rusty water from the tap looks alarming, but the cause is usually one of three things, and two quick checks tell you which: is it the hot water, the cold, or both, and is it one tap or every tap?
Read the Pattern
| What you see | Likely source |
|---|---|
| Sudden, cold water, every tap, neighbors too | City hydrant flushing or main work |
| Hot water only | Water heater sediment or a corroding tank |
| Worst first thing in the morning, then clears | Old galvanized pipe rusting inside |
| One fixture only | That fixture's supply line or valve |
| On a private well | Iron or manganese in the water; test it |
City Main Work
Hydrant flushing, a main break or repair stirs up sediment in the street's pipe. Run the cold tap nearest the meter, or a bathtub, for several minutes. It usually clears after a short while. If not, call the utility. Do not run hot water until it clears, or the sediment goes into the water heater.
The Water Heater
Brown hot water with clear cold water points to the tank. Sediment builds up at the bottom, and as the steel tank corrodes, rust comes out with the hot water. Flushing the tank through the drain valve can help. Rusty water from a tank that is also rumbling or over 10 years old is a sign it is near the end. See water heater making noise and water heater repair or replace.
Talk to a plumber about this
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Old Galvanized Pipe
Galvanized steel pipe rusts from the inside. Water that sat overnight comes out brown and clears after a minute or two. Pressure is often low too. EPA notes galvanized pipe can also collect lead from an upstream lead service line, so test the water. See galvanized pipes.
Protect Your Laundry
Rust stains clothes, and the washer pulls a lot of water at once. Wait until the water runs clear before doing laundry.
The Call
Call when only the hot water is brown, when it does not clear after the utility's work is done, or when it is worst every morning in a house with old pipe. (888) 217-6781 connects you to a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more, because the companies taking calls change minute to minute.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my tap water suddenly brown?
Most often the city is flushing hydrants or repairing a main, which stirs up sediment. Run the cold tap for several minutes; if it does not clear, call the utility.
Why is only my hot water brown?
The water heater has sediment, or its tank is corroding. Flushing the tank can help; rusty water from an old tank is a sign it is near the end.
Is brown water safe to drink?
Discolored water from main work is usually a temporary sediment problem, but it is sensible to avoid drinking it until it runs clear. Water from old galvanized pipe can also carry lead, per EPA, so test the water in older homes.
Sources
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.
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