If your water is visibly brown, yellow, or rusty, it’s best not to drink it or cook with it until it runs clear again. In most cases, the discoloration comes from iron, rust, or sediment inside pipes and is not toxic, but it can affect taste and quality. Once the water clears and has no unusual odor, normal use can usually resume. If discoloration persists for more than a day or keeps returning, it should be investigated.
For adults, brief bathing in brown water is generally low risk, though it may stain skin or fixtures. For babies and young children, it’s best to avoid bathing in visibly discolored water because they have more sensitive skin and may swallow bath water. Wait until the water runs clear before bathing infants or toddlers.
Not usually. Brown water is most often caused by rust, iron, or sediment from aging plumbing, pressure changes, or maintenance work. It does not automatically mean contamination or sewage. Municipal water supplies are pressurized, which makes outside contamination unlikely. Persistent or unexplained discoloration should still be checked, but most cases are plumbing-related, not health emergencies.
Older buildings often have galvanized steel, cast iron pipes, or aging valves that corrode over time. When water flow or pressure changes—after construction, repairs, or city work—rust and sediment can be released into the water temporarily. This is why brown water is more common in older apartments, brownstones, and prewar buildings, especially in NYC and NJ.
If brown water:
Lasts longer than 24–48 hours
Appears frequently
Affects multiple fixtures or units
you should notify building management or a landlord and ask whether plumbing work, flushing, or inspections are needed. In homes with infants, pregnant individuals, or very old plumbing, professional testing may also be appropriate. Recurrent discoloration usually means aging pipes need attention—not that the water supply itself is unsafe.