There are different reasons why you might experience discolored water at home. Here we look at five common causes and their solutions:

1) Iron

Iron is a very common reason for rusty or brown water, in most cases caused by old iron pipes in the building and the corrosion of metals in the plumbing system. Iron typically makes up part of all household mineral deposits and can cause everything from yellow to deep red stained laundry.

2) Manganese

Manganese has a similar effect on household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, which may stain white items with gray or black marks when this occurs. The presence of manganese is often due to natural levels found in water sources but can also be caused by corroding galvanized pipes and water heaters.

3) Hydrogen sulfate

Hydrogen sulfate is a chemical compound that can give drinking water a rotten egg smell, and high levels can corrode household appliances. The gas hydrogen sulfide gives off the distinctive ‘rotten egg’ smell associated with this contaminant, but even low levels in drinking water can be hazardous to human health over time. Although manganese is sometimes falsely referred to as hydrogen sulfide, this cause of discolored water should not be mistaken for the other.

4) Nitrates & nitrites

Nitrates are found naturally in many food products, fertilizers used on agricultural crops, wastewater discharged from treatment plants, and animal manure used as fertilizer. Drinking water contaminated with nitrates over a long period of time has been linked to serious illness. Nitrite is a chemical compound related to nitrates which can occur as a byproduct of wastewater treatment and non-point sources such as urban runoff, septic systems, and agriculture.

5) Coliform bacteria

Coliform bacteria are typically harmless in water but indicate the potential presence of other disease-causing organisms that may include parasites, viruses, or other harmful microorganisms. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that all drinking water must be tested at least once a year for total coliform levels, although some states require more testing depending on local conditions. A failure to test can result in health problems such as intestinal disorders or typhoid fever potentially caused by pathogens like E. coli, salmonella, cryptosporidium, or giardia in drinking water.

The good news is that in most cases discolored tap water can be treated with a range of filters and purification systems designed to address each specific cause. Before you do though it’s important to check whether your home has any structural issues which might be the root cause of the problem, such as blocked drains or leaking appliances that should be fixed regardless.

 

For more information, contact Vinny’s Jersey Plumbing, located in Wayne, New Jersey.  We also service other towns in New Jersey, such as Montclair, Franklin Lakes and Paramus.