By AJ, certified Gas Safe engineer and lead plumber at 247 Emergency Plumbers Edinburgh · Checked
Brown or orange water usually comes from iron deposits in old cast iron water mains, stirred up by a burst or works nearby. The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland says this is more of an appearance problem than a health one. If only some taps are affected, the cause may be your own pipes or a storage tank. If it keeps happening at the kitchen tap, contact Scottish Water.
Water near electrics? Do not touch wet switches, sockets or light fittings. Switch off at the consumer unit only if you can reach it without standing in water. Water pouring in? Turn off the stopcock: find your stopcock →
What it could be and what to do
Disturbed water mains You may be able to fix this
Likely cause: The DWQR says the most common cause is deposits in cast iron mains disturbed by a change in flow, such as a burst or valves being opened or closed.
What to do: Run the kitchen cold tap for a few minutes to see if it clears. Do not use the washing machine until it does. If neighbours have it too, check Scottish Water's service updates.
Only some taps affected Engineer needed
Likely cause: The DWQR says if taps other than the mains-fed kitchen tap are discoloured, a storage tank in the house may be the cause.
What to do: Compare the kitchen cold tap with the bathroom taps. If only the tank-fed taps are discoloured, ask a plumber to inspect the tank.
Old pipes in your home Engineer needed
Likely cause: The supply pipe to your home or your internal pipes can discolour the water, especially in older properties.
What to do: If it keeps coming back at the kitchen tap, contact Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778 to investigate. A plumber can check your own pipework.
Safe checks you can do first
These are the checks we suggest before a plumber arrives. Stop if anything feels unsafe.
Stop the water: use the small isolation valve on the pipe to the fitting if there is one, or the main stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink. Stopcock finder →
Electrics: keep away from anything wet and electrical. Get an electrician to check before switching back on.
Is it just you? Ask neighbours. No water or brown water in the whole street is usually Scottish Water: 0800 0778 778, free, 24 hours.
Contain it: buckets, towels and moving belongings limit the damage. In a flat, warn the neighbour below.
Photos: take photos and video before you clear up, for your insurer or landlord.
Need a plumber now? Call us any time.
Our callout is from £75 in standard hours (out of hours £100–£180) for attendance and diagnosis. Any repair and parts are agreed with you before work starts.
Our emergency line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Every property is different. This page is general guidance, not a diagnosis.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Helpful answers before you call.
Is brown tap water safe?
The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland says discolouration from iron or manganese is mainly an appearance issue rather than a health one. Run the cold tap until it clears, and contact Scottish Water if it keeps happening.
Why is only my hot water brown?
Hot water passes through your cylinder or boiler, and often a storage tank. If only the hot taps are affected, the cause is likely in your own system: ask a plumber to check it.
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