Dirt and rust in water

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Dirt and rust in water

Author: Mummy (OH)

We have well water. Several times recently, I've turned on the kitchen faucet and as the water was running, it would turn orange and dirty looking for a few seconds, then go back to normal. It doesn't do it consistently, and tonight I noticed it happened with the cold water. I'm not sure about the other times. I haven't noticed it happening anywhere else but the kitchen sink. What could be causing it? Our house was built in the fifties.

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Re: Dirt and rust in water
Author: m & m (MD) Sometimes it can indicate a failure within the pressure tank or it can be from the well itself. If you have water treatment equipment, it may be the cause.
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Re: Dirt and rust in water
Author: packy (MA) m & m, "I haven't noticed it happening anywhere else but the kitchen sink".. this would make me believe it is not in the tank or well.. more likely there is an iron nipple in the piping somewhere. could even be at the shut off under the sink ??
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Re: Dirt and rust in water
Author: m & m (MD) . Edited 1 times.
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Re: Dirt and rust in water
Author: m & m (MD) I considered that but since the kitchen faucet is the most used faucet in the house, I assumed it to be a house-wide problem that may not be as evident elsewhere due to less usage. But, if it is ONLY a kitchen problem, then it originates there.
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Re: Dirt and rust in water
Author: packy (MA) "since the kitchen faucet is the most used faucet in the house" NOT IN MY HOUSE...
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Re: Dirt and rust in water
Author: North Carolina Plumber (NC) You are noticing the dirty water when the pump kicks on. The increase in pressure is dislodging the debris. It's happening on the hot side as well, it's just not visible because the debris is being trapped in the water heater. I would suspect an issue with the pressure tank or some galvanized piping at the pressure tank.
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