High school students and teachers noticed recently that the tap and shower water coming from Greenwood County Water District (GCWWD)’s lines was discolored. The water is not thought to be dangerous; however, those who drink it should boil it before consumption. This may cause your water to turn brown.
The color of the water is caused by rust, which was removed from an old line between the GCWWD water plant and a well near Eureka High School (EHS). A new pipe has since replaced the rusty one. The discoloration should be gone in about two weeks, providing you boil your water. Though students are being affected by this water, there are no high schoolers who attend the Eureka High School well.
why is my water yellow all of a sudden?
The color of the water is caused by rust, which was removed from an old line between the GCWWD water plant and a well near Eureka High School (EHS). A new pipe has since replaced the rusty one. The discoloration should be gone in about two weeks, providing you boil your water. Though students are being affected by this water, there are no high schoolers who attend the Eureka High School well.
What causes discolored water?
Discolored water can be caused by some common types of pipes in your area. A rusty or old cast iron pipe, galvanized steel pipe, or copper piping may cause the color of your water to change. When these metals are corroded, they can coat the insides of your plumbing system with rust particles which may give the water a reddish or brown tint and in some cases a bad smell. You may also find tree roots around your home’s plumbing in the yard, causing rust particles to mix with the water.
Precipitation can sometimes cause discoloration. When it rains heavily, the sky can send corrosive particles into our earth which mixes with the ground water to give an unpleasant color.
How can I prevent this?
The water company has already replaced any corroded pipes, but you could help them out by looking around your home for leaks and notify the GCWWD office in case you find anything. You should also run cold water in your home when the problem is spotted in the area. If you suspect that the water color is due to rust, boiling your water can make it safer for drinking.
If you are noticing the problem only at one faucet, this means there is probably a blockage near that fixture and running cold water out of all fixtures on your home should solve the problem.
How to tell if your water is safe?
The water company has already replaced any corroded pipes, but you could help them out by looking around your home for leaks and notify the GCWWD office in case you find anything. You should also run cold water in your home when the problem is spotted in the area. If you suspect that the water color is due to rust, boiling your water can make it safer for drinking.
If you are noticing the problem only at one faucet, this means there is probably a blockage near that fixture and running cold water out of all fixtures on your home should solve the problem.
How to remedy discolored water?
Run cold water in your home for five minutes. This will allow the water to clear itself of any debris that may be causing the discoloration.
Conclusion
Discolored water can be caused by some common types of pipes in your area. A rusty or old cast iron pipe, galvanized steel pipe, or copper piping may cause the color of your water to change. When these metals are corroded, they can coat the insides of your plumbing system with rust particles which may give the water a reddish or brown tint and in some cases a bad smell. You may also find tree roots around your home’s plumbing in the yard, causing rust particles to mix with the water. Precipitation can sometimes cause discoloration.
