Is discolored water a health risk?

Discolored water is an occasional occurrence in a normally operating ground-water system and does not pose a health risk. However, it can be surprising and an inconvenience to unaware customers. Temporarily discolored water is safe, and is primarily an aesthetic issue. Your water may have a different taste or lightly colored clothes may become slightly stained if laundered during system disruptions. These events should be short lived. However, if the discoloration persists, it may be a symptom of a problem with your house’s water system. Galvanized iron pipes installed in homes in the 1960s and earlier can act as magnets for oxidized iron to form on the inside of the pipes. This can result in lower system pressures and release of iron sediment during routine activities such as dishwasher and washing machine use.