8 replies to this topic

[Ramhock]

Seems our water has a yellow tinge to it.  Tap & toilet.  Can't find anything online.  Anyone have any experience with this?  If your gonna make a joke, at least make it funny.

thank you in advance

[Clubfoothead]

rusty pipes - ETA but that always looks more orange to me

Edited by Clubfoothead, 18 April 2012 - 07:02 PM.

[Footballjoe]

Discolored Water?
Symptoms: Rusty, brown, or yellow water appearing in the hot water.
Cause: Complaints of discolored water are commonly blamed on water heaters, but in fact it is a rare occurance for today's high quality glass lined tanks to have a lining failure significant enough to allow water to contact enough bare metal to discolor the contents of even a small tank. The most common cause of "rusty" water is a non-toxic iron reducing bacteria, scientifically termed Crenothrix, Leptothrix, and Gallionella. Iron Bacteria is commonly found in soil, water wells, water treatment plants and water distribution piping systems where soluable iron exceeds 0.2 ppm, higher levels make conditions even more favorable. Soluable iron in the water provides food for the bacteria. Rusty discolored water is the end result of the bacteria feeding process. Water heaters and storage tanks usually require new anode rods as presence of iron bacteria contributes to premature anode failure.
Treatment: The simplist treatment avaiable is shock-chlorination of the system. This is a surface treatment, and often requires repeated trials in heavily infected systems. The cholorination of a system requires that you follow each step explicity to avoid an un-treated portion of the piping system from reinfecting another part.
Since rusty water is caused by a bacteria presence and is not caused by the water heater, any treatment would not be considered warranty related.

[stevegrab]

Is it just you? Have you checked with neighbors?

We used to get this in our area somewhat regularly when they were adding extra treatment to get rid of some bacteria That discolored the water.

I also know last week at work they were flushing the water hydrants so our tap water was kind of brown during the day (the local city posts large signs on main roads into their area warning residents about it).

[matt770]

Try setting the water on fire and let it burn until the yellow tinge is gone.  Then your water will be pure, crystal clear and delicious.  

[Scooby's Hubby]

Is Haliburton fracking a well nearby?

Sorry, it was irresistable.

Edited by Scooby's Hubby, 23 April 2012 - 02:44 PM.

[Azazello1313]

sometimes my toilet has yellow water.  usually goes away when I flush it.  

[Czarina]

well water? Ours tends to a bit of sulfur, which leaves yellowish tinge at times. Of course, there's the odor as well. Luckily, it's rare. Have you had it tested?

[Savage Beatings]

stevegrab, on 23 April 2012 - 01:19 PM, said:

Is it just you? Have you checked with neighbors?

We used to get this in our area somewhat regularly when they were adding extra treatment to get rid of some bacteria That discolored the water.

I also know last week at work they were flushing the water hydrants so our tap water was kind of brown during the day (the local city posts large signs on main roads into their area warning residents about it).

This used to happen to us all of the time when I was growing up... flushing the hydrants always caused rusty water for a short time.