Have you ever noticed that your well water turns brown after heavy rain? While this may be alarming, it’s actually quite common and nothing to worry about.

Here’s a look at what causes brown water after rain and what you can do to fix it.

What Causes Brown Water After Rain?

Heavy rains can stir up sediment in your well, which is often the culprit behind brown water after a storm. When this happens, you’ll notice that the water is usually cloudy or has a darker than usual hue.

In most cases, the discoloration will dissipate on its own within 24 to 48 hours after the rain stops. However, if the problem persists or if your water looks dirty even when there hasn’t been any rainfall, there could be another issue at play.

What Else Can Cause Brown Water?

In rare cases, brown water may be caused by deposits in your well or filter system. If you have a sediment filter, the discoloration may be caused by clogged deposits that need to be cleaned out.

If your water appears brown even when it hasn’t been raining, there could be an issue with your well itself or with your plumbing system. In this case, you’ll want to contact a professional to get your water tested.

Regardless of the cause, it’s important to keep an eye on your water and address problems quickly.

How to Fix Brown Water After Rain

If you only notice brown water after it rains and the problem corrects itself within a day or two, there’s no need to take any action.

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Failing that, make sure that your well cap is secure and in good condition. If your well cap is cracked or broken, rainwater can easily enter and contamination can occur.

It’s also a good idea to have a professional inspect and clean your well on a regular basis. This will remove any sediments that may have already made their way into your well water and help prevent future contamination.

There are a few things you can do to clear up your water if you notice it turning brown after heavy rain.

  • Check your sediment filter if you have one. If it’s clogged, clean it out.
  • Run your faucet for 10-15 minutes to clear any sediment.
  • If the problem persists, contact a professional to have your water tested.
  • Regularly test your water quality to ensure that there are no underlying issues.
  • Flush your tank regularly to prevent sediment buildup

If you’re dealing with brown water on an ongoing basis, the best thing to do is contact a water treatment professional. They will be able to test your water and determine what’s causing the problem. From there, they’ll recommend the best way to treat your water so that you can enjoy clean, clear H2O all year round.

How long does it take for brown water to go away?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as there are many factors that can affect how long it takes for brown water to clear up.

As a general rule, the water will go back to being clean within 1-4 hours. To help keep sediment out of your water, it’s best to have your water tested regularly and flush your tank on a regular basis.

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Once it does, you can flush any brown residue from your faucets and pipes by running your faucets for 10-15 minutes. This should help clear up the brown water and restore your water to its normal color and clarity.

If the problem persists or if your look dirty even when it hasn’t been raining, there could be another issue at play. Some possible causes of brown water include clogged sediment filters, deposits in your well or plumbing system, and underlying issues with your well itself or with your plumbing system.

Conclusion

If you’ve noticed that your well water turns brown after heavy rains, don’t panic.

It is a common phenomenon that is caused by runoff entering your well during periods of rainfall. While this won’t hurt your health, it can be annoying.

To help prevent brown water after heavy rains, make sure your well cap is secure and have your well cleaned on a regular basis by a professional.

About the author

I started working as a quality control manager with the Water Authority of Nassau County in 2005. After a few years, I moved into Water Waste Prevention, where I currently work as the production supervisor. I love my job and the people I work with, but most of all I love spending time with my family.