Symptoms
- Water looks brown, yellow, pink, or orange
- Color appears right after a flush
- Other fixtures show similarly colored water
- Color may follow recent water main work nearby
Likely causes
- CommonSediment stirred up in municipal or well water linesNearby water main work, hydrant use, or high demand can stir up rust and sediment, temporarily discoloring water.
- CommonIron or manganese in waterThese minerals cause a persistent brown, orange, or yellow tint.
- PossiblePink or reddish tint from bacteriaA pinkish ring or tint, especially around the waterline, is often from airborne bacteria feeding on moisture and minerals, not a water supply defect.
- PossibleCorroding galvanized pipesOld metal pipes can shed rust into the water over time.
What to do
- Check other faucets in the house for the same discoloration to see if it's isolated to the toilet or house-wide.
- If it's brown or rusty after recent nearby water main work, run cold water at a faucet for several minutes to clear it, and avoid using hot water until it clears (to protect the water heater).
- For a pink or reddish tint at the waterline, clean thoroughly with a bleach-based bowl cleaner or bathroom cleaner, since this is usually a mild bacterial growth issue, not a plumbing defect.
- Contact your water utility if house-wide discoloration doesn't clear after running water, since it may indicate a system issue on their end.
- Consider water testing if a well is your water source and discoloration is persistent.
Tools and parts
- Bleach-based bathroom cleaner
When to call a pro
Contact your water utility for municipal water issues, or a well/water treatment professional for persistent well water discoloration.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.