What the Town says about color
Surfside's Public Works Department explains that calcium and other minerals deposit in distribution pipes over time. When a main is disturbed, for example during valve exercising or when the fire department uses a hydrant, those deposits can be released and color the water yellow to brown. The Town says it usually clears after flushing faucets. Run cold water first, and avoid laundry until it runs clear.
Stains that do not go away
- Rusting metal: railings, screws, pool equipment and outdoor fixtures rust fast near the ocean, and rain or rinse water carries it onto walls and pavers.
- Pipes and heaters: older galvanized pipes or a corroding water heater can release rust into hot or cold water.
- Building risers: rust-colored water at a single unit can come from the building's pipes.
- Irrigation from another source: Surfside's system supplies sprinkler irrigation, so lawn water is usually Town water. If your property uses a private well, iron in that water stains whatever it hits.
Pools deserve a note: metal in pool equipment, a corroding heater, or metal objects left in the water can stain plaster and pavers, and pool chemistry can make metals drop out. Ask your pool service to check equipment, and test the fill water if it comes from anywhere other than your Town meter.
Quick checks
| Observation | Points to |
|---|---|
| Color appeared suddenly, cleared in an hour | Main disturbance |
| Only hot water is tinted | Water heater |
| Only your unit | Unit or riser plumbing |
| Streaks under railings | Rusting metal |
| Stripes where sprinklers hit | The sprinkler water source |
Condo owners
If tinted water persists in your unit, tell building management and note hot vs. cold. Pipe corrosion is a plumbing repair, not a filter job. A point-of-use system still treats drinking water at the tap, but it will not stop stains in the shower or laundry.
Testing and fixes
Jorge can test iron and chlorine at the faucet or outdoor spigot, which tells you whether you are looking at Town water or something else. Fixes depend on the source: flushing after main work, stainless or coated hardware outdoors, a plumber for pipes or heaters, or treatment configured from the water's test for a private well. See wells and irrigation in Surfside. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
Cleaning tips
Rust stains on pavers and fixtures usually respond to a cleaner made for rust; test a hidden area first. Stop the source before cleaning, or the stains return. For laundry stained during a main disturbance, avoid the dryer until the stain is out.
https://www.townofsurfsidefl.gov/docs/default-source/town-news-articles/water-quality-explained-by-public-works.jpg
https://www.townofsurfsidefl.gov/departments-services/utilities/about-utilities
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/environmental-public-health/water-quality/drinking-water/private-wells/
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist