How to fix brown water from taps?

[emmab1986]

Hello, could you please advise me why water coming out of both laundry sink taps is sometimes brown and does not always run clear, even after running the taps for a while. Even when water is not brown, it is murky.

Thanks in advance!

[EricL]

Hello @emmab1986 

There are a number of possible reasons your water is brown or comes out murky. There could be roadworks being conducted and soil has entered the mains water system causing it to turn brown. There could be a leak in the mains and water is being contaminated with soil. Water could be running on older galvanized pipework and is dragging the rust to your outlet. The water might be contaminated from another source along the line. 

I propose checking your local council's webpage to find out if there are any roadworks or plumbing works being conducted around your area. Has there been a large-scale water accident occur in your area? How old is your plumbing system? Do you get your water from a steel water tank or from a ground pump? 

I suggest installing a large-scale filtering system before the water enters your house. From there I suggest using a proper filtration system for drinking and for kitchen and bathroom use.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with. please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @emmab1986 

If council were doing works on the water mains then your should have received notification and an alert that its not safe. A quick call will resolve that question. And if it is something they have done its urgent they address it.

If its not council works it sounds like a very serious issue that still needs to be address urgently as your mains water most likely has been ruptured and is dragging in ground dirt. You will need a plumber that has an inspection camera to locate the issue. This is service is typically not cheap unfortunately.

Let us know how you go.

Nailbag 

[Noyade]

Hi @emmab1986 

Would you know if your water supply is through gal pipe? Is the property very old?

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @emmab1986 

When the water board people (For me in NSW its Sydney Water) do emergency water works some sediment can enter, usually it will disappear after 10mins of running the water. Tho sometimes you might get a secondary flush of colour. Usually they overdose on the cleaning agents with the water thats within the pipe.

- You will see them running the fire hydrant spots out on the street. They do this every so often as a maintence level to flush water, it can disturb settled silt that then gets drawn into your pipes.

- As @Nailbag has mentioned, you could have a break in your pipes. Have a look at your water meter with everything turned off water wise. it shouldnt move. Mine has in the past and yeah I had a leak that was unseen.

- Do other taps in your place run dirty? It could be perished washers for the taps.

- If no other pipes run dirty (including hot water taps) then your issue may be between the last water point and the laundry taps.

Dave

[emmab1986]

There are some gal pipes. The property is 1929-built, but was renovated in 2014.

[emmab1986]

I spoke to South East Water this afternoon. I was advised that "As the water pipes were unused for an extended period of time, natural sediment that builds up in the water supply will settle in your pipes. When water is drawn out again, this water will be discoloured. This water is still safe to drink, cook and clean with.

If there is a lot of sediment, you can try a tap flushing, which involves turning on your front garden tap at full pressure for 2-3 minutes, then turning it off. Then do the same with your back garden tap. For this to work, it is important that water is not being used in the house at the same time. This process should release any sediment found within your household pipes. You may need to attempt a tap flushing more than once. Brown water will typically with used within 24 hours."

I am so sorry as I forgot to say that the house wasn't occupied for 1.5 months. I have encoutered twice for the brown water.

[EricL]

Hello @emmab1986 

It's good that you have received information from your local water provider. Hopefully the water will clear up once the pipework is flushed out.

Eric

[emmab1986]

I'll call the council tomorrow. I checked with South East Water this afternoon and got some ideas. I forgot to say that the house was unoccupied for 1.5 months. Since moving in at the end of June, I have encountered brown-murky water twice. I started worrying. Thank you so much for your advice.

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @emmab1986 

Gal pipes will decay faster then copper pipes and create the dirty look in water. if the other taps run clear and the ones in the laundry are still running dirty after several flushes I would check to see if the gal pipes are inline with the laundry.

Dave