What if my water appears rust-colored?

The water at only one faucet appears rust-colored - The corrosion of iron pipes causes water to appear rusty, yellow or brown colored. Because the discoloration occurs at only one tap, it is an indication of possible internal plumbing problems, not the town water supply. Call a plumber.

Water at all of the faucets appears rust-colored - The corrosion of iron pipes causes water to appear rusty, yellow or brown colored. If you see the color at all of the faucets, it is coming from the water main feeding your building. Run all of the cold water taps until the water runs clear, approximately 5-10 minutes. If the problem persists, call the Fairhaven Water Department. Rusty water can stain laundry so avoid washing laundry, particularly white items, until the water clears. If you see rust stains on your laundry, you may want to try a product such as "Iron-out," found in the laundry detergent section of stores. Do not use bleach. If the rusty water is an ongoing problem, call the Fairhaven Water Department during regular working hours.