Why does my water sometimes look discolored?
There are a few possible causes of discolored drinking water.
It is important to know that during these occasions your water is safe to drink and continues to meet all State and Federal drinking water standards for public health.
Discolored water caused by system operations
Planned maintenance activities can cause disturbances in the water system. A change in the direction or flow of water, such as the use of a fire hydrant, valve exercising, a main break or adjacent construction in the area may stir up harmless sediment. This can enter your home when you turn on your tap.
Water typically clears on its own within a few hours, and often times much sooner. TVWD performs seasonal flushing to help remove sediment from water mains. Signs are posted in areas where crews are working and interactive maps are updated on TVWD's flushing page.
Category: Discolored Water
Discolored water caused by the water source
The Portland Water Bureau’s Bull Run Watershed, one of the TVWD’s water supplies, is an unfiltered surface water source. Because this source is unfiltered, a fine layer of harmless sediment can settle on the bottom of the water mains. This sediment can occasionally make its way into your home’s plumbing.
Category: Discolored Water
Is there anything I can do?
Wait 15 - 20 minutes, then run cold water in a bathtub or outside hose bib for 1 to 2 minutes to see if it has cleared. After one faucet runs clear, run the cold water through all home faucets until each is back to normal. If it still hasn’t cleared, wait another 15 – 20 minutes before running again.
If your water does not clear after a few hours, contact a TVWD Water Quality Specialist at 503-848-3000.
Here are few things to know If your water is discolored:
- Color is considered an aesthetic property and is not health related. The water is treated and remains safe.
- If there is sediment in your water, use should be limited or avoided, as it can clog aerators and home filters. It is ok to use this water to wash your hands and flush toilets.
- Avoid using hot water to prevent drawing sediment into your water heater.
- Wait to run your washing machine or dishwasher.
Category: Discolored Water
What about home plumbing?
Discoloration can also be caused by household plumbing, especially in older homes with galvanized pipes. It is most noticeable first thing in the morning or after long periods of low or no water use. It can also occur at seldom-used faucets. A 1-2-minute flush should remove the discolored water. If it only occurs in hot water, flushing the hot water heater may resolve this by removing sediment located in the bottom of the tank. We recommend researching this before trying to flush the tank yourself. Here's a helpful YouTube video.
Category: Discolored Water
What if it looks cloudy or milky?
Water is pressurized, which is necessary to deliver it over long distances and the topography of our area to your home. Water under pressure holds more air than non-pressurized water. Once it comes out of your faucet, it is no longer under pressure and the air bubbles are released. As a result, bubbles of air can sometimes cause the water to appear cloudy or ‘milky’.
Cold water can exasperate this condition because cold water can hold more dissolved oxygen than warm water. When the faucet is turned on, the air that is present will dissolve after sitting for a short time.
Air can also result from certain system repairs or flushing. Air in water is not a public health concern.
Category: Discolored Water
