Purging Discolored Water

• Wait an hour before resuming normal water use to let normal flow patterns re-establish themselves and any remaining sediment to settle down.
• Flush water at full force from your front hose bib until it runs clear. This should take no more than two or three minutes. If the water continues to be discolored, wait an additional hour and try again before proceeding to the next step.
• Start by flushing the cold water faucet in the bathtub. If you are concerned about wasting water, water the backyard from the backyard hose bib for several minutes or until the water clears. After the tub or backyard faucet runs clear, flush all of the other cold water household faucets (starting from the side of the house nearest the street, then the rest of the cold water faucets within the home).
• If discolored water has been drawn into the hot water system, the hot water can continue to be used until the discoloration dissipates and is no longer an aesthetic issue. This is generally preferred to draining and refilling the water heater

Following this guidance generally will take care of the problem. However, depending on the pattern of water use in your neighborhood, it may be necessary to repeat the process more than once if the discoloration continues. If the discoloration persists for more than a day, call MCWD at (760) 934-2596.