Discolored Water: What Does it Mean for You?

Have you had this happen to you before? You’re minding your business at home, going about your day like usual. Maybe it’s time to wash the dishes or draw a bath for the kids. When you turn on the tap, you’re expecting to see crystal clear, clean water…but not today. For some reason, the water coming out of your faucet looks dirty. It might be brown, reddish or whitish. You might even see particles swirling around in your previously clean water. What’s going on? How did this happen? How can you fix it?

Don’t worry! Although discolored water can be an unwelcome surprise, it’s not an uncommon problem. In most cases, there’s an easy fix that can clear your water up pretty quickly. King Water Filtration is here to explain some of the common causes of discolored water and provide handy solutions for those concerns.

Why does water become discolored?

One reason for water discoloration can be switching water sources. Municipal systems occasionally need to change their primary water source to a different river, lake or reservoir. This change isn’t always seamless. The new water source may include different minerals and contaminants, leading to temporary discoloration and even altering the water’s taste and smell.

Another culprit behind discolored water is the introduction of organic material. When water takes on a brown or yellow hue, it’s often because it has interacted with dirt or sediment. This can occur because of a variety of reasons – perhaps there’s been a water main break, or the demand for water suddenly surged. This can happen if firefighters are drawing from the same line as you or even during droughts. Routine maintenance that causes shifts in pressure can also stir up sediment.

Similarly, as plumbing systems age, corroding pipes can affect water color, especially if the water has high acidity. This corrosion can cause metallic flakes or even black, rubber particles to appear in the water, sometimes giving it a reddish-orange tint. Air in the water lines can also interfere with your water’s color, rendering the water whitish or cloudy. And even upstream pollution after heavy rains can introduce pollutants like pesticides or oils into our water sources. The water we use can turn discolored when these harmful substances enter the surface or groundwater sources used for your water.

If your water is discolored, what actions should you take?

• Inspect the source. If every faucet in your home is pouring discolored water, the issue probably originates outside your home. If only specific faucets are affected, your internal plumbing could be the culprit.
• Run the taps. Let the water flow for a few minutes. Often, the discoloration will clear up on its own after some time.
• Seek out public advisories. If your water remains discolored, check with your local utilities department. They’ll inform you if there’s been a water main break, or if a boil water advisory is in place. If you’re still unsure, check in with a neighbor to see if they’re experiencing similar issues.
• Noticing pipe material? If you’re constantly finding bits of material in your water, it may be a sign that your pipes are aging and need an overhaul.
• Spotting air bubbles? Let the water sit for a few minutes. The air bubbles will eventually rise to the surface and dissipate.

However, if the cause remains elusive, that’s where King Water Filtration steps in. Our state-of-the-art, activated-carbon filter can expertly neutralize a multitude of contaminants, along with our other comprehensive filtration stages. This not only restores the water’s natural color, but can also improve its taste and aroma. If you suspect the problem is within your home, perhaps because of old piping, our point-of-use under-sink system will ensure that every drop of water you drink is pristine and pure.

Water discoloration might seem alarming at first glance and can certainly disrupt the taste and aesthetic of your water. However, with the right information and tools at your disposal, it’s often a manageable problem. And for everything else, King Water Filtration is always at your service, ensuring that you always have access to safe, clean and refreshing water.

The King Water Difference

To protect you and your family’s water, there’s no better filtration system on the market than King Water. Whether for a city or well system, our filters eliminate contaminants ranging from turbidity and chlorine to heavy metals and PFAS. Our systems require zero maintenance and are backed with up to a 20-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee, making them an easy choice to complement the other actions listed above. To get started, fill out our contact form or call us at 1-855-957-2166, and we’ll set up your free consultation. You can also purchase King Water Filtration systems through The Home Depot.