Outdoor stains and sprinklers
Sprinklers hit the same walls and paths every cycle. When the water comes from a shallow well, dissolved iron turns into rust as soon as it meets air and dries in place. Over months, white stucco and light pavers turn orange in a pattern that matches the spray. County water is treated at PBCWUD's plants, so stains that follow the sprinkler pattern are about the irrigation supply.
Indoor stains
- Private drinking well: iron can stain toilets, sinks and laundry.
- Water heater: discolored hot water only points to the tank.
- Home plumbing: PBCWUD's responsibility ends at the meter box. Pipes and fixtures on the house side belong to the owner.
- After hydrant flushing: brief discoloration can happen; the county asks customers to call 561-740-4600, option 1, if it continues.
Discolored hot water only, with clear cold water, usually points to the water heater. The county lists draining the heater according to the manufacturer as basic maintenance. Galvanized steel pipes in older homes can also corrode and release rust, which is a plumbing repair, not a filtration problem.
What iron means
EPA treats iron as a secondary contaminant, meaning it concerns staining, color and taste rather than health. It is still a real nuisance, and it can foul softener resin and other equipment if it is not removed first.
Matching the fix to the source
| Source | Typical approach |
|---|---|
| Irrigation well | Treatment on the irrigation line or rust-control products, chosen from a test |
| Drinking well | Oxidation and filtration within a well water system |
| Water heater or plumbing | Plumbing repair or replacement |
If you are not sure whether your sprinklers run on county water or a well, look for a separate pump near the house or in the yard. A pump that clicks on with the sprinkler timer usually means a well.
Cleaning existing stains
Use a cleaner made for rust on stucco and pavers, testing a small area first. It will come back unless the source is fixed, so at least aim sprinkler heads away from walls, fences and the pool deck while you decide.
Test it
Jorge tests iron and pH at your tap and, if you want, at the irrigation supply, then tells you what is causing the stain before recommending anything. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://discover.pbc.gov/waterutilities/PubDoc/CCR_2025.pdf
https://discover.pbcgov.org/waterutilities/Pages/Water-Quality.aspx
https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/secondary-drinking-water-standards-guidance-nuisance-chemicals
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist