us Home & property emergencies brown tap water • rusty water from faucet • discolored tap water • orange water from tap • black specks in tap water • unusual odor from tap water • strange taste in tap water • water smells like chemicals • water smells like sewage • sudden change in water quality • tap water looks dirty • cloudy water from faucet • sediment in tap water • water main work nearby • is my tap water safe • should i drink this water • boil water notice confusion • public water system concern • well water suddenly smells • apartment building water issue

What to do if…
your tap water suddenly turns brown or smells unusual and you’re not sure it’s safe

Short answer

Stop using the water for drinking, brushing teeth, or food right now, and contact your local water utility (or your local health department if you use a private well) to ask if there’s an advisory or incident affecting your area.

Do not do these things

Don’t “test sip” it or use it for coffee, cooking, ice, or brushing teeth.
Don’t assume boiling makes it safe (boiling kills germs but does not remove many chemicals).
Don’t run hot water through the house to “flush it out” (you can draw the issue into your water heater and appliances).
Don’t use the dishwasher/washing machine until the cold water runs clear and you’ve been advised it’s safe.
Don’t ignore a strong fuel/solvent or sewage smell — treat that as a stop-and-check situation.

What to do now

Switch to a safe water source immediately. Use bottled water (or another known-safe source) for drinking, cooking, baby formula, brushing teeth, rinsing produce, and making ice. If you have an ice maker, turn it off and don’t use existing ice until you know the water is safe.
Do a quick “cold vs hot” check (30 seconds). Pour one glass from a cold tap and one from a hot tap. If only hot water is discolored/smelly, avoid using hot water and report that detail — it may point to a water-heater/internal plumbing issue.
Call the right place based on your water source.
- Public water system: Call your water utility customer/emergency line. Report the discoloration/odor, your address, when it started, and whether neighbors are affected. Ask:
  - whether there is a boil water advisory or do-not-drink order for your area
  - what the water is safe to use for right now (bathing, toilets, dishwashing)
  - where to find the latest Consumer Confidence Report (annual water quality report) for your system
- Private well: Stop drinking it and contact your local health department/environmental health for immediate precautions and what testing to order (often using a state-certified lab).
If you suspect fuel/toxic chemicals, don’t try to “treat” it at home. Use bottled water and contact your health department (and your utility if on public water) for specific guidance.
If you are told to boil water, do it exactly as instructed. Only if an official advisory tells you to boil: use clear water, bring it to a rolling boil for 1 minute. At elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes. Follow local instructions about when boiling is appropriate (some situations are “do not drink,” not “boil”).
Document what you’re seeing (quickly). Take a photo/video of the water in a clear glass, and note the time it started and any recent triggers you know (construction, hydrant flushing, plumbing repairs). This helps the utility/health department decide whether to sample or investigate.

What can wait

You don’t need to decide today whether it’s your building’s plumbing, a water main disturbance, or something else — the utility/health department can help narrow it down.
You don’t need to rush out for filters or home testing kits before you’ve contacted the utility/health department.
You don’t need to drain your water heater unless you are specifically instructed by a professional.

Important reassurance

Discoloration can be caused by harmless sediment or iron disturbed by maintenance or flow changes — but you don’t have to guess. Pausing drinking/cooking use and getting official local guidance is the safest move.

Scope note

These are first steps to keep you safe and connect you to the right local authority. If your area is under a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow that specific local instruction exactly.

Important note

This is general information, not professional or emergency services advice. If you feel sick after using the water, seek medical advice and mention possible contaminated water exposure. If you suspect serious chemical contamination (strong fuel/solvent odor), stop using it for drinking/food and follow your utility/health department’s urgent guidance.

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What to do if…your tap water suddenly turns brown or smells unusual and you’re not sure it’s safe