Match the stain to the water
| Where you see it | Likely source | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Walls, pavers, fences in sprinkler spray | Irrigation water (well or other non-potable source) | Check what feeds your irrigation; redirect heads |
| Toilets, sinks, laundry, on a well | Iron in the well | Iron test; iron removal stage |
| Cold water runs brownish briefly, then clears | Hydrant flushing or main work | Run cold water until clear |
| One fixture or a metal fitting | Rusting part | Plumbing repair |
Know what feeds your sprinklers
Westlake properties may irrigate with SID drinking water, reclaimed water, or a private irrigation well. SID and PBCWUD publish a notice for reclaimed water customers: it is treated, disinfected wastewater for lawns, golf courses, gardens, trees and shrubs, and it is not drinking water. Do not connect pipes to it, fill pools or hot tubs with it, or use it on edible crops. Your SID account and irrigation setup tell you which source you have. If staining appears where sprinklers hit, call SID or your irrigation contractor about the source first.
Iron in wells
Dissolved iron is clear when it leaves a well and turns orange once it meets air. That is why stains appear where water dries. For house water from a well, iron is removed by oxidation and filtration ahead of any softener or RO. Living Water configures its well water system from the test. See well water in Westlake.
A quick check: if stains appear only on surfaces sprinklers reach and never inside the house, the tap water is not the cause.
Flush periods
SID announces periodic line flushes with increased hydrant activity, such as July 5 to 25, 2026. Flushing can stir up sediment in mains. If your cold water looks discolored for a short time, run a cold tap until it clears before doing laundry. Persistent discoloration is worth a call to SID at (561) 790-1742.
Cleaning existing stains
Treatment stops new stains; it does not erase old ones. Use a rust remover suited to the surface and test pavers, stucco and stone first. Adjusting sprinkler heads to keep spray off walls and driveways is the cheapest prevention.
Some deposits on porous pavers and stucco need repeated treatment. For pool decks and screens, check with the product maker before using acid cleaners. Sealing pavers after cleaning makes future stains easier to remove.
What Jorge tests
Iron, pH and chloramine at the tap, and if you have a well, a sample from it. Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.
https://seminoleimprovementdistrict.com/index.php/reuse-water-information
https://seminoleimprovementdistrict.com/index.php/forms-documents-rfps/notices/water-line-chlorine-flush-january-2026
https://seminoleimprovementdistrict.com/files/documents/SID%202025%20Water%20Quality%20Report.pdf
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist