August 2026

Brown rusty water in Ontario homes: causes and fixes

Brown water has three usual causes: corroded pipes in your home, a rusting water heater tank, or disturbed sediment in the municipal main after hydrant flushing or construction.

If only hot water is brown, the tank is the likely culprit. If both are discoloured, run the cold tap for a few minutes. If it clears, it’s probably the main.

Persistent brown water points to your plumbing. A sediment filter, and in some cases a water-heater replacement, solves most cases.

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