Brown, yellow, or cloudy water from your tap can have several possible causes — from sediment and changes in the water supply to corrosion in older household plumbing. A water test and inspection help identify the source so you can address it correctly.
Discolored tap water is water that looks brown, yellow, orange, cloudy, or rusty when it comes out of the faucet. It is a visible change from clear, colorless water and is one of the most common reasons homeowners request a water test. Discoloration can appear in both hot and cold water, may come and go, or may be constant depending on the cause.
This problem can have more than one possible cause — from the water supply to household plumbing to a water heater. Identifying the cause is the right first step, because the solution depends on what is actually happening.
Discolored water is a quality concern worth investigating, but it is not automatically a health emergency. Some causes — like utility flushing — may clear on their own. Others, like corrosion in your home's plumbing, can worsen over time and damage fixtures and appliances. A water test identifies what is actually in your water so you can decide on the right next step rather than guessing.
Not every water problem is solved the same way. The right option depends on what testing finds in your water. Here are solutions that may apply — a water test tells you which one actually fits your conditions.
Reduces sediment and particulate matter at the point where water enters the home, so every tap receives clearer water. Useful when discoloration comes from sediment or supply changes.
Learn moreTargets dissolved iron and manganese that cause orange, brown, or black discoloration — common with well water or local supply conditions.
Learn moreWhen discoloration comes from a private well, a well-specific treatment plan addresses the minerals and sediment your water actually contains based on testing.
Learn moreA whole house water filtration system treats water at the point where it enters your home, so every faucet, shower, and appliance receives filtered water. It is designed to reduce sediment, chlorine taste and odor, and other common contaminants depending on the media used.
Learn moreIron and manganese filtration targets the metals that cause orange, brown, or black staining on fixtures, laundry, and appliances — and metallic or bitter taste. These systems are selected based on the form and concentration measured in your water test.
Learn moreHomes on private wells are responsible for their own water quality. Well water filtration and treatment addresses concerns common to private supplies — sediment, iron, hardness, odor, and bacterial risks — with equipment selected based on a test of your actual well water.
Learn moreEvery home's water is different. Generation H2O can help you understand your water conditions and explore solutions based on your test results — with no obligation.
Free test • No obligation • Tested at your tap
Explore more water-quality issues and the testing and treatment options for each.