My water is dirty or is brown. What is going on?
There are several reasons that may cause your water to turn brown or rust-colored. When the fire department flushes the fire hydrants, they test for sufficient pressure and flow to ensure fire protection. A large volume of water is blasted through the hydrant at very high speeds, scouring the water main. This scouring action disrupts the water main and any sediment that may have accumulated over the years becomes suspended in the water. The dirty water should go away soon after re-settling, and you will have to flush your cold water faucets for 15 to 20 minutes to evacuate the dirty water and bring fresh water into your water lines. Occasionally, changes in system pressure or operating valves in your area may cause discolored water until any sediment re-settles.
