7 Reasons For Yellow Water From Tap & How To Get Rid Of It

I understand why you are alarmed after seeing yellow water coming from your tap. Its not something common, and the water likely contains bacteria, lead, or copper, all of which can pose serious health risks.

In most cases, yellow tap water is caused by rust from iron pipes or a rusty water heater. However, there are also a few other potential causes, which we'll discuss and share solutions in this article.

Why Is My Water Yellow All of a Sudden?

Your water could be suddenly yellow because of:

• Rust in water pipes
• Rust in water heater
• Frequent pipe maintenance
• Change of the water source
• Corroded faucets
• Burst pipes
• Fire hydrant use

1. Rust in Water Pipes

Rusty pipes are often the main culprit behind yellow tap water. When iron pipes corrode over time, they form rust, also known as iron oxide-hydroxide. This rust can dissolve into your water, giving it a yellow tint.

If your house has older iron, lead, or copper pipes, they might be the source of the problem. As water flows through these corroded pipes, it picks up rust particles, leading to discolored water.

The deeper the yellow color, the more rust there is in your pipes. This happens because iron reacts with oxygen in the water, forming rust. Over time, this rust builds up, especially in high-moisture environments like the inside of your pipes.

Solution to rusty pipes causing yellow water:

The best solution to rusty pipes is to replace them with new ones. Although expensive, this can be the best way to ensure that there will be no rust-related problems in the future.

For added protection, consider installing a whole-house filter system to catch any remaining rust particles. This combination will keep your water clear and your mind at ease.

2. Rust in Water Heater

Water heaters are built to resist rust, but they can still corrode if they aren't maintained properly.

They achieve rust resistance through a sacrificial anode rod, which prevents the tank from rusting. This rod that runs through the tank is a steel wire encased in magnesium, aluminum, or a zinc/aluminum alloy.

The anode rod prolongs the life of water heaters via electrolysis, attracting and absorbing harmful particles like sediment buildup. Without it, corrosion, rust, and hard water sediments would damage the tank lining instead.

If you notice a yellow tinge in hot tap water, it likely means your water heater has rust inside.

Solution for a rusty water heater:

The best way to fix a rusty water heater is to thoroughly flush it through the drain valve to remove sediment.

Next, check the sacrificial anode rod to determine whether it’s rusty. If it is, call a plumber to replace it.

Keep in mind that if your water heater is over ten years old, flushing and replacing the anode rod might not be enough. In this case, it might be best to invest in a new water heater to avoid recurring issues.

3. Frequent Pipe Maintenance

Routine pipe maintenance is essential for keeping your water supply clean, but it can sometimes lead to temporary issues like yellow water. During this process, your local water supplier might flush the pipes, which can dislodge rust and pollutants, causing discoloration.

If you notice a sudden increase in water pressure, it may be a sign that maintenance is underway. The increased pressure can stir up rust and sediments, which then make their way into your tap water.

Solution to pipe maintenance issues:

First, check with your water supplier if they’re conducting pipe maintenance. They should inform you beforehand, but it’s always good to confirm.

If your water is yellow because a maintenance crew has flushed the pipes, the problem is temporary, so you don’t need to do anything—the water should turn back to normal after leaving the taps running for a while.

4. Change of the Water Source

Sometimes, your water supplier may need to switch to a different water source if the current one goes dry or becomes contaminated. This change can disrupt the water flow and pressure, stirring up rust and other impurities in the pipes and leading to yellow water.

Poor water quality is another issue that can happen as a result of changing the water source. The new water source may contain contaminants like iron, lead, zinc, and copper, which can affect the taste and color of your water.

Solution to water source issues:

If you suspect a change in the water source, contact your water supplier to confirm. They can provide information about the new source and any potential issues.

Running your taps for a while can help clear out any dislodged rust or sediment. If the problem persists, using a water filter to remove any unwanted contaminants from your tap water may be your only option.

5. Corroded Faucets

Even though most faucets are made from corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel, zinc alloys, or brass, they can still corrode over time. Particles resulting from corrosion can contaminate your water, giving it a yellow tint.

Solution to corroded faucets:

Corroded faucets are the easiest to fix. First, try flushing them with high water pressure to dislodge the corrosion.

If that doesn’t work, clean the faucet with undiluted white vinegar to dissolve the residues. Simply soak a cloth in vinegar, wrap it around the faucet, and let it sit for a while before rinsing.

If the faucet is still corroded, it may be time to replace it.

6. Leak/Burst in Water Pipes

Pipes can sometimes burst as a result of natural disasters, accidents, or heavy corrosion. If a pipe bursts, contaminants and sediment can easily enter the water supply and cause discoloration.

However, unlike rust, contaminants that are introduced to water through burst pipes can cause serious health issues since we have no way of knowing what they are without a proper water test.

Solution to burst pipes:

If you suspect a burst pipe, it’s essential to act quickly. Inspect your plumbing for any visible leaks or damage. If you find a burst pipe, shut off the water supply immediately and call a professional plumber to repair it.

Once the pipe is fixed, run your taps to flush out any contaminants and restore clear water.

7. Fire Hydrant Use

During emergencies, the fire department may resort to using fire hydrants that happen to be nearby. Fire hydrants usually require large volumes of water at high pressure.

A sudden change in water pressure brings us to the same issue we discussed above, as it can stir up rust and sediment in the pipes.

Solution to fire hydrant use:

If you notice your tap water has a yellowish tint after a fire hydrant has been used, let your taps run for about twenty minutes. This helps flush out any dislodged sediments. Your water should return to its normal color after you’re done.

If the discoloration persists, contact your local water supplier for further assistance.

How to Get Rid of Yellow Water in 3 Steps

Here, we want to briefly recap what your thought process should be when you’re troubleshooting the problem.

Step 1: Locate the Source of the Yellow Water

First, contact your water supplier to find out whether there has been any pipe maintenance or replacement, a change in the water source, or a firefighting emergency.

If there haven’t been any, you next want to compare the hot and cold water coming from the taps.

If only the hot water is discolored, the issue is likely a rusty water heater. If your water has a yellow tint regardless of temperature, the culprit is trickier to pinpoint — it could be your pipes, taps, or faucets.

It’s easiest to start with your faucets. Check all of them one by one.

If you determine that all your faucets are okay, you could be dealing with rusty pipes. In this scenario, the best course of action is to call a professional plumber.

Step 2: Choose a Solution Based on Your Findings and Implement It

The solution can be to:

• Replace the rusty pipes
• Flush your water heater
• Clean or replace corroded faucets
• Check and seal up burst pipes
• Check in with your municipal water authority

Step 3: Test for Clean Water

The final thing you want to do to ensure your water is free of contaminants after you’ve identified the issue is to conduct a water test. You can either do it by yourself using a water testing kit, or you can contact the local health department for home water testing.

As a side note, it’s also a good idea to regularly test your water, even if it isn’t discolored. Water that looks clear isn’t necessarily safe to drink.

Popular Questions and Answers

Why is my bathwater yellow?

As with tap water, the yellow color in bathwater can be caused by rust or contaminants from rusty pipes, water heaters, corroded faucets, or a poor-quality water source. Iron in pipes and heaters rusts when it contacts oxygen in the water, leading to discoloration.To fix this, check and replace rusty components or improve your water quality with a filtration system.

What is the cost of getting rid of yellow water?

Expect to pay $120 to $300 for small tasks such as cleaning corroded faucets or replacing them.The cost of completely replacing old rusty pipes will vary between $2,000 to $15,000, depending on the preferred materials. Expenses may be higher depending on the pipe location, the number of pipes, and how many bathrooms or kitchens your house has.

Will yellow water go away naturally?

If the yellow tint is due to a change in the water source, repairs on the main pipes, or a recent flush of the main lines, the problem should go away naturally. In these cases, it’s best to leave the faucets running for a while to clear all the residue.If your pipes or water heater are rusty, the problem won’t go away naturally – you’ll need to replace the pipes or flush the heater.

How long does it take for yellow water to go away?

Yellow water in your home plumbing system should go away in about ten to twenty minutes or less once you implement a solution. However, the time span may vary depending on the cause of the discoloration.If there’s maintenance or repair work, a burst pipe, or an emergency, the problem will persist until the supplier takes care of it or after the emergency situation is handled. When there’s a change in the water source, it might take more than a day for the water to clear.

Is yellow water safe to drink?

Yellow water is considered safe to drink if caused by rusty pipes, as the iron that causes natural rusting in the pipes isn’t readily absorbed by the body.To be certain there’s only iron in your water, you need to learn what materials your pipes are made of. If you discover they contain copper or lead, you shouldn’t consume the water. These metals can cause serious health issues such as liver or kidney failure or brain damage.If you’re sure the yellow water comes from the main pipes or the source, you shouldn’t drink it either. It might contain harmful bacteria or other organic contaminants. Instead, contact your suppliers to discuss a suitable solution.

Is yellow water safe to bathe in?

Bathing in yellow water is safe as long as the discoloration is due to rust. Even if there’s lead or copper in the water, human skin doesn’t absorb these metals.On the other hand, if the tint comes from the water source or a burst pipe, it’s best to call the supplier to learn about the cause. In any case, it should be common sense that water that’s already dirty may not be ideal for cleaning your body.

Can a water softener cause yellow water?

A water softener can cause yellow water if it contains yellow salt. Yellow salt can react with water and can cause discoloration.Moreover, new water softener resin, especially if it’s a low-quality one, can result in the same issue. However, the problem should go away after a couple of regenerations.