It can be alarming to see brown water coming out of the faucets of your house, but it’s likely to happen at some point due to water pressure fluctuations for a variety of reasons—construction, a broken water main, fire hydrant maintenance, etc. The good news is that most of the time there is no reason to worry and it's typically an easy fix.

So, what should you do if you see brown water?

The first thing is to know whether there is a current issue, such as a water main repair or planned hydrant flush, that may be impacting your neighborhood's water. The City will do its best to alert residents of widespread water interruptions or the possibility of brown water in advance, or as quickly as possible once we are made aware of the situation.

Current Water Service Issues

TUESDAY, MAY 23: A water shutoff is scheduled on Vester between Woodward and Bermuda from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. for a water repair. Restoration is assumed to occur no later than 11:00 a.m. Once water has been restored, those in the area may experience brown water as a result of the shutoff. If you see brown water, run your water for 5-10 minutes until it flows clear.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24: A water shutoff is scheduled on Vester between Paxton and Bermuda from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a water repair. Restoration is assumed to occur no later than 2:00 p.m. Once water has been restored, those in the area may experience brown water as a result of the shutoff. If you see brown water, run your water for 5-10 minutes until it flows clear.

What to Do if Your Water is Brown

Run your cold water for 5-10 minutes. The brown you are seeing is most likely due to stirred-up sediments from pressure fluctuations that can make water appear cloudy or dingy. After 5-10 minutes you should see your water run clear and safe to use. If after 10 minutes you are still seeing brown water, please report this to the City via Facebook messenger or Information@ferndalemi.gov.

If at any point a boil water advisory is in effect for any area of Ferndale, affected residents will be made aware immediately via Facebook, Twitter, the City website, and a personally delivered notice to your door.

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