Back to Blog

Why Is My Tap Water Yellow?

Glass of dirty water sitting next to a sink faucet on a light gray stone countertop.

If your tap water has developed a yellow hue, it’s a sure sign that something is wrong, particularly if you see signs of sediment in your water. It could mean there’s rust in your water line.

Corrosion often dislodges when municipal flow rates are interrupted. This can happen when your municipality flushes your utility, or your fire service connects to your mains. It could also indicate that someone has illegally connected to your mains.

Let’s look at the most common signs of water yellowing.

1. A Rusty Water Heater

If your hot water is discolored, but your cold water is clear, you probably have rust buildup in your hot water tank. While a simple flush should give you clearer water temporarily, don’t drag your feet on a repair.

Corrosion can lead to severe leaks. It could also move into the smaller components of your hot water system, causing additional damage that will ultimately require repair.

2. A City Water Flush

If your water turned yellow suddenly, your utility company may have flushed their mains to remove accumulated rust from your pipes. The water should turn clear quickly and is generally safe to drink. The presence of iron is rarely hazardous.

If you’re unsure, call your municipality to find out if they’re currently meeting the EPA’s maximum iron content limits. Large amounts of iron can lead to iron poisoning. A hydrogen peroxide system can remove rust from your water if the problem is recurring or particularly severe.

3. Impure Well Water 

Iron bacteria forms when iron and manganese combine with bacteria to create sludge-like deposits. This can cause blockages in your washing machine and water heater, shortening their life spans and reducing water pressure.

Yellow well water is a sign of manganese content and decaying vegetation. You should install an iron filter to prevent the staining of your ceramics and clothing. Air injection oxidation systems can remove ferric and dissolved iron.

4. Tannins

Tannins are the result of decaying vegetation and peaty soil. They’ll give your water a tea-colored hue and a musty smell. If your water tastes bitter, this is probably the culprit. While tannins are safe to drink, they’re only delicious in tea and wine.

You can address tannin content by investing in an ion exchange system or water softener. Activated carbon filters are equally helpful, removing 99% of all tannins. While reverse osmosis systems can help, they also remove valuable minerals from your water.

5. Rusty Pipes

Rusty pipes and water lines tend to wash sediment and metal into your water. You can safely diagnose your problem as corrosion if you see orange or yellow particles. If your water runs yellow but turns clear within a few seconds, your indoor pipes are probably the culprit.

There’s only one solution: to replace the affected pipes. This requires some investment, but modern camera inspections and trenchless repairs can significantly reduce the cost.

Schedule Water Treatment Services With Primo Plumbing, Inc.

Most yellowed water is safe to drink, but that doesn’t mean it tastes pleasant. Iron adds a metallic flavor and can be highly destructive to your fixtures. Comfort-Air Engineering and Primo Plumbing, Inc. will address the problem with our water softening solutions.

We rely on three forms of water softeners: ion exchange, dual-tank, and salt-free equipment. Unlike water filters, softeners remove only the offending “hard” minerals. After treatment, your water will be clear and fresh-tasting.

Call (210) 494-1691 to schedule water treatment services in San Antonio, TX, or nearby.

financing available

  • Buy Now – Pay Over Time
  • convenient monthly payments
  • Quick Credit Decisions

MAINTENANCE PLANS

  • Bi-annual/planned maintenance
  • Priority Service Call and Scheduling
  • Discounts on Parts & Labor

Meet The Team

Our team of experts dedicated to delivering amazing service.
employee matthew freund smiling for the camera
employee patrick freund smiling for the camera
Employee Tom Freund smiling at the camera
employee clint wurzbach smiling for the camera
employee mike stahl smiling for the camera
employee matthew freund smiling for the camera
employee patrick freund smiling for the camera
Employee Tom Freund smiling at the camera
employee clint wurzbach smiling for the camera
employee mike stahl smiling for the camera

Over 50 Years Of Five Star Service

Excellent customer service!

I was so pleased with the excellent customer service provided by Luis, Eric, Camillo and Mark. Also, your Customer Service Accounts Payable was so sincere and efficient. I would and will always recommend Comfort Air to anyone.

Suzy H.

Very dependable!

I've been a customer of Comfort-Air Engineering Inc for about ten years. I like them because they are very dependable. When I call them, they come out. A few years ago, they installed a new heating and air conditioning system for…

Robert H.

Real professional job!

Replacing faucets throughout house was no problem for these pros, even though there were a variety of fittings they had to deal with. Showed up on time and worked efficiently. Real professional job at a reasonable price.

Bob K.

We wouldn't trust any other!

We have always appreciated your family owned and operated business. We have been with your company for approximately 20 years and wouldn’t trust any other.

Gwen R.

On time, professional and courteous!

Comfort-Air Engineering Inc. recently installed a generator for us and they also did some plumbing work. This was our first experience with the company. They were on time, professional and courteous. Moreover, they did exactly what we asked them to do…

David A.