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Iron pipes are still commonly found in older properties. Over time, these pipes tend to corrode, causing rust to be carried through the water. Regardless of whether you turn on the hot or cold water, if there are above-average levels of rust particles, brown-coloured water will flow from the tap. This can cause brown water to suddenly flow from your tap. The problem usually does not lie with the waterworks or utility company: thanks to strict regulations (the Drinking Water Ordinance), the drinking water supplied must be clear, clean and fit for human consumption. Therefore, brown water from the tap is usually a problem caused in the home. The same applies if you have your own well. So what should you do if brown water suddenly comes out of the tap?
What should you do if you notice brown water coming from the tap?
If you notice brown water coming from your tap, you should proceed as follows:
- Let the water run: First, run water from as many taps as possible for a few minutes. Then check if it has cleared up. Wait 20–30 minutes, then check again to see if the brown discolouration is still visible. If the discolouration has disappeared after the first few litres, it was probably just rust deposits in stagnant water (e.g. after a long period of non-use). As a precaution, do not drink any brown-coloured water until the cause has been identified.
- Contact your utility company: Ask your water supplier if there are any major disruptions or maintenance work on the network. Use the fault hotline or check your supplier’s website for the latest updates. You will often find information there on what to do if you have brown water.
- Ask your neighbours: If brown water is still flowing after flushing, talk to your neighbours, whether they are in the same building or the surrounding area. Ask them if brown water is also coming out of their taps. This will help to identify the cause. Is the problem with the municipal pipe network, or is the contamination coming from your building’s plumbing?
- Call in the experts: If the discolouration does not stop on its own, contact a plumber or your water supplier again to resolve the issue. Tenants should also contact the caretaker, property management or landlord immediately so that the problem can be rectified quickly.
If you are also interested in a cost-effective alternative without hidden costs for consulting, installation, additional material, energy or even follow-up costs, please contact us.
Rust as a possible cause of brown water from the pipe
But why does brown tap water occur in the first place? In most cases, it is due to a rusty pipe system. Even if they were originally galvanised, old iron water pipes can rust from the inside over the years. Once the protective zinc coating has worn away, the iron pipe begins to oxidise.
Over time, rust particles dissolve in the pipe and enter the water. This results in the tap water becoming brownish-reddish in colour. This is mostly iron oxide. Occasionally, dissolved manganese compounds are also present. In addition to corrosion, there are other causes of brown water. A burst water pipe, for example, can cause the same phenomenon – but we will come back to that shortly.
It is important to note that such issues should not be taken lightly, as they can lead to damage to the building structure and pose health risks.
Brown water after repairs or a burst pipe
Brown water often appears temporarily after work has been carried out on the water pipes. If the water supply has been turned off for a while due to construction work or repairs, rust particles and other deposits can become dislodged when the water supply is turned back on. Brownish water will then flow from the tap at first. This phenomenon cannot usually be avoided entirely, but it is generally harmless and the problem usually resolves itself after a few minutes.
You will often be informed in advance if maintenance work is planned on the pipe network. However, if you are suddenly surprised by brown water and have not been informed in advance, ask your neighbours or your utility company directly whether there is a burst pipe or other work in progress. Do not use brown tap water for drinking, cooking or personal hygiene until the problem has been resolved. In an emergency, switch to bottled water for such purposes.
Is brown tap water harmful to health?
The good news is that drinking brown tap water occasionally or for a short period is usually not a serious health risk. However, the potential health risk increases the more frequently and for the longer the water is consumed. Nevertheless, you should address the problem as quickly as possible and inform your landlord or property manager, if applicable. Homeowners should contact their water supplier immediately to determine the cause.
In the long term, however, the increased intake of iron and manganese particles contained in brown water can be harmful to health. Therefore, it is best to refrain from drinking brown water completely until the pipe network is back in working order.
Particular caution is advised in the event of major pipe defects, such as a burst pipe. In such cases, contaminants such as soil or germs can enter the tap water from outside. The waterworks must then flush and clean the network thoroughly before drinking water can be supplied again. Until the cause of the discolouration is identified, you should avoid consuming the water. However, if you have drunk a few glasses of brown water, there is no need to worry excessively. Monitor your condition and consult a doctor if you feel unwell. If the pipe system is damaged, also seek advice from your water supplier or landlord.
Drinking Water Ordinance: Limit values and obligations
The German Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) stipulates strict limits for the chemical and microbiological properties of drinking water. Authorised laboratories and the health authorities monitor compliance with these limits. As the owner of a domestic plumbing system, you are required to check the quality of your drinking water as soon as any abnormalities occur, such as unusual taste or smell.
If the legal limits are exceeded, the cause must be eliminated immediately. For instance, only specific maximum quantities of metals such as iron, lead, cadmium, nickel and chromium are permitted in drinking water. Therefore, discoloured, brown water should always be taken seriously and investigated as quickly as possible, regardless of whether it occurs in hot or cold water.
The most important facts about brown-coloured tap water in a nutshel:
- Do not drink it: Avoid drinking brown water if possible. If you have consumed it, monitor your health and consult a doctor immediately if you experience any problems.
- Eliminate the cause: Brown tap water does not meet the standard for a proper water supply. If the problem occurs regularly or permanently, it must be remedied as quickly as possible (e.g. by renovating the pipes or installing a water treatment system, such as the Sialex®Ring).
- Inform your utility company: If brown water suddenly comes out of the tap, ask your water supplier about any work or faults in the pipe network. Maintenance or construction work on the water pipe network is usually announced in advance.
- Stagnation Prevent stagnation: Brown water is particularly common after a long absence (e.g. a holiday), as the water has been standing in the pipes for a long time. In such cases, flush the pipes thoroughly before using the water as usual again.
Testimonials and installations from around the world
The Sialex®Ring: a sustainable, chemical-free solution
The Sialex®Ring has proven effective in permanently preventing rust and brown water. This tried-and-tested system has been used tens of thousands of times worldwide for decades and works purely physically, without the use of chemicals, electricity or magnetic fields. There are no maintenance or operating costs, as no consumables are required. By altering certain properties of the water, rust and limescale are significantly less likely to build up in your pipes. In many cases, this combats both the symptoms and the cause of the discolouration.
Installation is straightforward: even if you are not a DIY expert, you can attach the compact Sialex®Ring to your property’s main water pipe in just a few minutes. Experience has shown that, with regular water replacement (e.g. weekly pipe flushing), significant improvements can be seen after just four to six weeks – your water will remain clear. You can use the Sialex®Ring either preventatively, for example when moving into an older house, or only after the problem has occurred. In both cases, you will be impressed by the results. Your family and your wallet will both be happy!
Trust Anchor: The Sialex®Ring is successfully used by private customers and companies around the world. Take a look at our international installations and references – the ‘Made in Germany’ effect speaks for itself. Do you have any questions about the Sialex®Ring?
If you are also interested in a cost-effective alternative without hidden costs for consulting, installation, additional material, energy or even follow-up costs, please contact us.
