Discolored Water

October 19, 2026
RE: Dirty Water Questions
By Cortney Mitchell

Are you seeing the discoloration in both the hot and cold water or just one?
Is it happening at every faucet in the house, or only certain faucets?
In the water discolored when you first turn it on?
If you let the cold water run for 5-10 minutes does it become clearer?
Does it seem worse first thing in the morning or after the water hasn’t been used for
several hours?
Are you seeing any actual particles or sediment in the water, o is the water itself just
yellow/brown?
What color are the stains you are seeing in the toilets, tubs, and shower: Yellow,
orange/rust colored , brown, or another color?
If you look inside the toilet tank, is the water discolored or is there any sediment or
staining on the bottom or sides of the tank?
Have you noticed any unusual odor or metallic taste?
Do you know what type of plumbing you have in the home, such as copper, PEX, or
older galvanized piping?
Do you have a water softener, whole-house filter, cartridge filter, or any other type of
water treatment equipment in the home?
If you do have a filter or treatment system, when was it last serviced or the filter
changed?
Approximately how old is the water heater?
Have you had any recent plumbing work done in the house?
Have you heard whether any of you immediate neighbors are experiencing similar
discoloration?