The tap water in residents' homes is yellow! How did the tap water change color?

Many residents have reported that their tap water has turned yellow, which has caused people to worry about the safety and quality of water. So, what is the reason behind this yellow tap water? Let's uncover this mystery together.

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1. Pipeline aging and corrosion

The water supply pipes in many old communities have been in use for a long time, and are prone to rust and scaling. When water flows through these aging pipes, rust and dirt will be washed down and mixed into the water, causing the tap water to turn yellow. It is like a rusty water pipe that has not been maintained and replaced for a long time. The rust inside will gradually fall off and the sewage will flow out.

Rust: If your home's water pipes or plumbing fixtures are made of iron or steel, they may rust over time. When water flows through these rusty pipes, the rust is carried into the water, causing the water to turn yellow or brownish red. In addition, aging water pipes may also cause the water to turn yellow due to corrosion or deterioration.

Pipeline sediments: Sediments such as silt, lime, and calcium may accumulate in pipes that have been used for a long time. These sediments may be washed down when the water flow is disturbed (such as when the water supply is restored after a water outage), making the water turbid or yellow.

Pipe material: Certain rubber pipe materials (such as gaskets or O-rings) may break down in water, producing black or other colored particles that can contaminate the water.

2. Pollution of Secondary Water Supply Facilities

In some high-rise residential areas, water needs to be pressurized and delivered to the homes of high-rise residents through secondary water supply facilities. If the water tanks, pools and other facilities of the secondary water supply are not cleaned and disinfected regularly, it is easy to breed microorganisms such as bacteria and algae, and even foreign matter will enter, thus affecting the water quality and making the tap water yellow.

main reason:

In some residential areas, especially high-rise residential buildings, secondary water supply facilities (such as reservoirs or water tanks) may be used. If these facilities are not cleaned or disinfected regularly, they may cause the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and algae, pollute the water quality, and turn the water yellow.

3. Water Source Issue

If the source of tap water is polluted, it may also cause the water to turn yellow. For example, after a heavy rain, the water quality of water sources such as rivers and lakes may become turbid and the sediment content may increase. If the treatment process of the water plant fails to effectively remove these impurities, the tap water in residents' homes will turn yellow.

If the water source is polluted and contains metal ions such as iron and manganese or organic matter, these substances may also enter the tap water and cause the water to change color.

4. Impact of water outage or maintenance

When water supply is restored after a water outage in a community or area, the impact of the water flow and pressure changes may stir up the sediment in the pipes, causing the tap water to turn yellow in a short period of time. Similarly, during the maintenance of the water supply pipes, impurities may enter the pipes, causing water quality changes. For example, during the construction process of repairing broken water pipes and replacing valves, foreign matter may mix into the water, causing water quality changes.

So, what should we do when the tap water turns yellow?

You can open the tap and let the water flow for a while. Usually, the yellowing phenomenon will gradually reduce or disappear. If the water quality does not improve after a long time of running, you should contact the local water supply department in time and ask professionals to come for testing and treatment.