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Is brown water safe to bathe?

Writer Robert King

While it may be alarming to see brown water coming from your shower, it’s not likely harmful. Brown shower water may indicate high levels of iron or other sediment deposits. It’s okay to shower in brown water as long as the color does not change throughout your shower.

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Are there any side effects of bathing in brown water?

Bathing in water with brown color is generally safe. However, there are some problems that may occur if the water contains high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS), which can be caused by rust and sediment deposits from aging pipes. Signs of TDS exposure include dry skin, acne, eye irritation, itchy scalp, and hair loss. Brown or black stains on clothing or fixtures also may indicate too much TDS in bathwater.

How do I find out what’s causing my shower water to be brown?

It might not always be necessary to determine a cause for brown bathwater because the color alone doesn’t indicate an immediate health risk. In cases where you have a new problem with your plumbing system or notice a sudden change in watercolor, you may need to call a plumber.

How can I treat brown water?

There are several ways to treat brown shower water before you take a bath or shower. The easiest method is to let the water run for several minutes before taking your shower, which will allow the TDS level to dissipate. If this doesn’t help, try using an under-sink filter that attaches directly to your tap. You also could replace your current faucet with one that’s low-flow (using about 1 gallon of water per minute) and install aerators on each sink, tub, and showerhead.

If these solutions don’t work, call a qualified plumber. Having dirty bathwater means there may be blockages in your plumbing system or faulty valves or pipes that need replacing or repairing. By installing filters correctly so they won’t clog over time and scheduling routine.