Have you ever turned on the faucet only to see brown water flowing? You may feel alarmed and begin to wonder why the water is appearing the way it is, deeming it unsafe for use and consumption. But is brown tap water dangerous in real life? Worry not, as we will explore the causes behind brown water and the various steps and precautions you can take to ensure your water is safe and pure.
What Does It Mean When Your Tap Water Turns Brown?
When brown water comes out of the tap, many people are alarmed, and they often ask this question. For those interested in knowing what does it mean when your tap water turns brown? In a case where the water may turn brown due to the dirt, rust, or the natural stuff like iron or manganese found in the water supply. It could also be a result of a leakage from a new pipeline that has been laid close to the water source or where the water may have traveled and been disturbed a bit in the pipes.
Whatever the reason could be, brown water is not entirely dangerous and isn’t risky for your health. However, it can indicate various issues that need your attention.
Common Causes of Brown Tap Water
Is brown tap water dangerous? Technically, no, but it usually results from the following reasons.
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Construction of new pipeline: Laying a new pipeline system near your water main supply can disrupt soil and cause it to enter your water, turning it brown.
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Corroded pipes: Old or burst pipes may lead to water discoloration.
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Rust: Corroded or old pipes may release rust into your water supply, causing it to turn brown.
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Pipeline repairs: Repairing the pipeline system may cause temporary disturbances affecting your water.
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Valve adjustment: Adjusting the water supply valves to source water from different areas to meet customer demand.
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Sediment build-up: Over time, minerals and debris can collect in pipes and become dislodged following heavy water usage.
Is Brown Tap Water Dangerous?- It Depends On
Now that we know the major causes of brown water, let’s address whether is brown tap water dangerous or not. It depends on the causes of brown water, which are addressed below.
Potential Contaminants in Brown Water
Brown water may contain several contaminants, including rust, lead, or bacteria. While rust isn’t harmful, it may indicate aging or corroded pipes, which may further indicate the presence of bacteria in tap water. Consuming such water may lead to health issues if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Leaking pipes may also contain lead, which is dangerous for pregnant women or small children.
Can You Safely Drink Brown Tap Water?
Is it safe to drink discoloured tap water? It’s better not to assume brown water is safe for consumption especially if you don’t know the reason behind discoloration. Brown water also has an unpleasant taste and a bad odor, coupled with unappealing look.
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If brown water is due to rusty or corroded pipes, it is an indication of lead, which is severely dangerous for pregnant women and children. Consuming lead in large amounts can lead to lead poisoning, which has symptoms like memory loss, headaches, delayed reaction times, pain, nausea, diarrhea, etc.
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If the brown water is due to damaged pipework in your home, then this can lead to leaks and then mould and mildew which is something to avoid as they pose health hazards and can damage your property. So to answer is it safe to drink discoloured tap water? It’s not and you should consider other alternatives to safeguard your health.
What to Do If Your Tap Water Is Brown?
If your tap water is brown, here are a few steps you can take to mitigate the problem.
Steps to Take When You See Brown Water
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Turn on the faucet: If you suspect that the water is brown because of the rust, let the tap run to see if the water clears after a few minutes. It may help get rid of any sediment or rust that may have been in pipes and is now free.
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Check your boiler: If the hot water source gives brown water, there may be an issue with your boiler. It may need flushing, repairing, or even replacing. Contact your boiler service engineer.
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Turn on the tap – cold water in the kitchen: In case the brown color isn’t seen when washing the dishes using the cold water, the kitchen also can be a source of contamination, in this case, the pipes can be cleaned by letting the sink water run for 20 minutes. If it turns out unclear at the start then please give it another 20 minutes and do it again.
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Talk to your neighbors: If the issue is common with them, it is most probably the water supply authorized by the municipality.
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Check pipes if water is still brown: In case the brown water problem continues, pay attention to the pipes of your house and whether they are overexposed with rust or sediments. In case any of these answers are no, not possible, you can call a plumber.
If the water is still dirty even 24 hours later, the problem probably isn’t with your interior pipes and it’s, therefore wise to contact the water department.
Best Prevention: Whole House Water Purification
Should you need a more permanent solution to brown water, you would have to think about an in-house water treatment plant, specifically a reverse osmosis system or activated carbon filter. These water filter systems do not help with the impurities in your water such as lead, sediment or rust but they also clean your water for consumption.
SimPure is here with the best and exclusive water filtration systems which help in the treatment of water sourced from the supply and ensure its cleanliness at all times. Check out SimPure whole-house water filtration systems that feature advanced technology to keep contaminants at bay and considerably enhance water quality and taste.
FAQs on Tap Water
If you are still unsure about whether is brown tap water dangerous then we are here to answer your common questions.
1. Is it safe to drink discoloured tap water?
If you wonder whether is it safe to drink discoloured tap water then you need to consider the various colors of tap water and whether they are safe for consumption.
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Yellow/Orange: If your water appears yellowish or orangish, it could be due to rusty faucets as dislodged pieces of rust can enter your water, turning it yellow. While consuming rusty water in small amounts is okay, it should be avoided in the long run.
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Green: If your water is green, it could indicate algal growth. Consuming algal water may lead to toxic health issues.
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White/Cloudy: If your water appears whitish, it could indicate the presence of methane gas or hard water.
2. Is it safe to shower in brown water?
Is it safe to shower in brown water? It is, but for short periods. You must avoid showering in brown water if you have any open wounds or sensitive skin, as the sediment and rust particles can cause irritation.
Conclusion
We hope this blog has cleared your concerns about whether is brown tap water dangerous. In short, while brown water isn’t entirely dangerous, it is important to understand the various causes behind it and take the necessary steps at once. You must stay vigilant about your water quality and take necessary long-term measures such as installing SimPure water filtration systems to get clean and pure water.
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