Discolored or rusty water may occur as a result of a few different events. If a fire hydrant has been opened for routine testing ("flushing,"usually performed in the month of October), or if City street sweepers have opened the hydrant to fill their trucks, residents nearby may experience dirty or discolored water.

Discolored water may occur when crews perform maintenance on a water main near your home. A change in water velocities can cause the iron compounds that accumulate in water mains to become suspended in the water. This is a temporary condition and is harmless. Typically, allowing your tap to run will flush out the discolored water and clear water will appear.

There may have been a change in pressure in the line due to hydrant flushing, a fire, turning on a valve, etc... The Water Quality Assurance Lab may have additional information about the rusty water. The number is 645-7691.

The Fire Department may be doing hydrant flushing. Run the water for approximately ten minutes and it should clear up. Also, run water in the washing machine to prevent rust stains on clothes.

In most cases, discoloration is caused when particles of formula inadvertently enter the bottle of Nursery® Water when preparing your child's bottle. When mixing Nursery® Water with formula, it is important that you pour the water into a clean bottle first and then add the correct amount of formula. Formula particles that enter the bottle of Nursery® Water may also cause mold if not handled properly. Nursery® Water has fluoride added in a concentration of up to 0.

Your water may be discolored for several reasons. Sometimes when the water is treated with chlorine, the chlorine can react with the iron and manganese found naturally in our wells, causing discoloration. Water is also often discolored when the Water District flushes the hydrants and water mains. You should avoid washing your laundry when the Hydrant Flushing Program is going on in your neighborhood. Your water should be clear again several hours after the flushing stops for the day.

Discolored water can be caused by many factors, i.e., construction in the area, lightening strikes, operation of a fire hydrant, natural ground movement, and adding additional pumping capacity to the water system. Because most of these factors can not be anticipated or controlled by CAW, it is necessary to address the situation after it has happened. Determine if the discoloration is in your hot water or your cold water.

Discolored water may occur when crews perform maintenance on a water main near your home. A change in water velocities can cause the iron compounds that accumulate in water mains to become suspended in the water. This is a temporary condition and is harmless. Typically, allowing your tap to run will flush out the discolored water and clear water will appear.

Turn on the cold water in one sink until it runs clear, which will take approximately five to ten minutes. If brown water has affected your laundry, please call the Fire Department at (216) 292-1965 for a box of rust remover. "Rust" is usually caused from Hydrant Flushing in your area.

Various chemicals cause rust to enter the water lines. Due to a change in water pressure, the rust is carried to the various fixtures and appliances and comes out through them. The dark shade of the water may actually be dirt which enters the water supply as a result of a break in the pipe. The glass lining in the water heater may in some way be damaged, thus causing the metal jacket to rust.

Breaks in water mains and fire hydrant flushing cause the water’s velocity to increase dramatically. When this flow increases, rust particles from within the mains can be picked up and carried by the water into your house, thus discoloring the water. If your water is discolored, please be assured it is safe to drink. However, we do not recommend doing laundry in it until it clears up, as clothes could become stained.

The first thing you should do is to allow your tap to run a few minutes to see if it clears up. This will help you determine if the discolored water is coming from the distribution system or your home's plumbing system. If this doesn't correct the problem within about five (5) minutes, please contact the following numbers:

Sometimes during a water main break, sediment can enter the water pipes. The water may look cloudy or muddy, but there is still chlorine in the system for disinfection. You can report this occurance to a Customer Service Representative by calling 336-883-3111. Another source for discoloration may be rust that naturally forms in iron/steel pipes that is stirred up by pressure and/or flow variations, which are a result of water main breaks or hydrant testing.

The cloudiness in your water is being caused by tiny air bubbles. This air was under pressure in your water pipes, much like carbon dioxide in a bottle of soda. When you turned on your tap the pressure was released, allowing the bubbles to appear, just as removing the cap from a soda bottle causes the soda to fizz. If you allow a glass of water to stand for a few moments, the air bubbles will rise to the surface.