Brown Water - What to Do?

If you see brown water coming from a water pipe, you will definitely be very unsure at first and wonder where it can come from. You also wonder if this water is harmful to health.

Possible Reasons:

First of all, the brown water is usually caused by non-toxic deposits of iron or manganese from the pipes. The corrosion of iron in the pipes turns the water orange to brown. If you have pipes with lead content, the water can even turn black. Another reason could simply be old or worn-out pipes causing the brown color of the water.

Health Hazard or Harmless?

You should not drink brown water from the water pipe. This is because you should first test the cause of the discoloration. If the brown color is caused by washed-out iron or manganese deposits, short-term consumption of this water is harmless. However, long-term consumption of water with a high content of iron or manganese should be avoided. You should be especially careful with lead pipes. Lead is a heavy metal that can cause poisoning if consumed in large quantities.

However, it can also happen that the brown color indicates other harmful substances. For example, a pipe break could allow some soil to enter the drinking water. Additionally, contaminated surface water could enter the drinking water pipe due to such a pipe break.

The Water from the Tap is Brown - What to Do?

What should you do if the water from the tap is no longer clear but has a brownish discoloration?

First of all, as mentioned above, do not drink the water.

You should definitely let the water run from as many taps as possible. It may happen that the water clears after a while. In this case, turn off the water and check after about half an hour to see if it is still clear.

The next step would be to contact your water supplier for information on whether there is a general problem with the water or if there have been other reports in the area.

If you live in an apartment, it also helps to ask your neighbors if they are experiencing the same problem. This can help narrow down the issue.

Analyze and Test the Water:

Finally, one of the most important steps. A thorough analysis should definitely be carried out. This completely avoids health risks and simultaneously identifies the cause. The only self-analysis you could do without tools is to smell the water. If it smells earthy or musty, it is most likely due to organic material decomposing in the pipe.

Only with a professional laboratory test can you determine what is really causing the brown color of the water. This can also specifically determine if harmful heavy metals are present in the water. Such a drinking water analysis is therefore beneficial for safety and health.