Orange & Rust Stains From Water in Hollywood

Where the stains come from

• Irrigation wells. Many South Florida yards are watered from a private well rather than city water. Untreated groundwater can contain iron, which turns orange on contact with air and sun.
• Private drinking wells. The same iron can stain sinks, tubs, toilets and laundry.
• Older plumbing. Corroding galvanized pipes or a rusting water heater can tint water from inside the home.

The city's treated water goes through lime softening, membrane filtration or reverse osmosis at the plant, so widespread rust staining from the city supply is unusual. If brown water appears suddenly, call the city at 954-967-4357.

Hollywood clues

Look at where the stains are. A band of orange at sprinkler height along a stucco wall or fence is the classic irrigation-well pattern. Stains only in one bathroom suggest a fixture or pipe. Rust in every toilet tank points to the water source.

The city partners with Broward County on an irrigation system assessment and rebate program, which can help you check how your sprinklers are set up and where they spray.

What to test

• Iron and manganese in the well or irrigation water.
• pH, which affects how iron behaves and which treatment works.
• Hydrogen sulfide, often found alongside iron (see sulfur smell).
• A comparison with your indoor tap, to confirm whether city water is involved at all.

Pools and pavers

Pool decks, pavers and screen enclosures are where Hollywood homeowners notice iron staining most. If a pool is topped off with well water, iron can tint the water or stain the finish, so it is worth knowing what your fill source is. Treating the irrigation supply, aiming heads away from hardscape, and testing the well every so often keeps the problem from returning after you clean.

Options

• Irrigation iron treatment: equipment on the irrigation line that oxidizes and removes iron before it reaches the sprinklers.
• Redirecting heads so they do not spray walls, pavers or the pool deck.
• Well water systems for drinking wells, configured from the well's test. See well water systems.
• Plumbing repair if the source is old pipes or a failing heater.

Before you scrub

Cleaning removes stains; it does not stop new ones. Identify the source first, then fix it, then clean. Jorge tests well and tap water free and gives an itemized quote if treatment fits.

Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist