My water is suddenly rusty. What should I do? Who should I call?

If your cold water appears rusty all of a sudden, it is probably due to a work crew in the area. They may be isolating an area to do emergency repairs, or opening an area hydrant. This stirs up sediments in the water mains. The rusty water is harmless and will clear up all by itself within a couple hours. Running the water in your faucet will not make this clear faster. If after several hours, or if a rusty condition in your cold water persists, call the water quality laboratory at 847-931-6158.

Show All Answers

1. What should I do if my water is discolored?
2. I have low pressure. Who do I call?
3. Do I need a water softener if I am on City water?
4. My automatic dishwasher operator’s manual says that the amount of detergent I need to use depends on the grains per gallon of hardness in the water. What is the hardness of City water?
5. Does Elgin add fluoride to the City water supply?
6. What is the sodium content in Elgin’s water?
7. Is radon a contaminant concern in Elgin’s water?
8. Why does the water have a chlorine taste or smell? How can I remove it?
9. Why is my water cloudy? It looks milky.
10. My water is suddenly rusty. What should I do? Who should I call?
11. Do you give tours of your water treatment plant?
12. What’s this pink stuff in my bathroom?
13. What are these black (or red) particles coming out of my faucet?