We have a well and up until this morning it was fine. The water coming out of the faucets was very brown. When I tried the sink in the kitchen it started clear and after about 20 seconds began turning brown. I was not using hot water, as I have seen in other posts about hot water causing the rust from the inside of the pipes to come off. And it all happened very quickly-there was no gradual light brown look first, just straight to a watered down coffee look, enough for me to notice it coming out of the faucet while just last night I filled up a glass of water from that same faucet and noticed nothing. Please help- what could it be? It did rain a whole lot in the last few days, is it possible for dirt/mud to get into our well?

Hi! mghv, welcome to AMHD :)

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Originally Posted by mghv

It did rain a whole lot in the last few days, is it possible for dirt/mud to get into our well?

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Short answer, yes.

Do you have a shallow well (50' or less) or a deep well?
This happens more frequently with shallow wells.

If your well is drilled into an underground aquifer or river, you may just be seeing the effects of a lot of rain water runoff, especially if the aquifer water level is down due to recent droughts, etc.
If this is the case, the solids should settle out and the water should clear up.

Do NOT drink this water or cook with it until you have it tested, especially if you have children.

To use for "Black water" Okay.
To use for "Grey water" You may notice a smell on washed clothes, and irritation after taking a bath or shower. Scum on car after washing.
Garden plants may or may not be affected.

You may need to decontaminate your system and have the water checked if there is some doubt it may be clean.
Most State Health Department's offer free testing, only charging for core charge on the bottle, postage, and handling for results.
Check your State Department of Health for details.

You could go ahead, and decontaminate right now just to be sure. I've known well owner's to do this once a year.

To decontaminate your water supply system, see:
Well shock procedure: when and how to chlorinate or sterilize a drinking water well

Here's a good place to start, same main site as above:
Guide to Water Well Diagnosis & Repair; Types of Drinking Water Wells, Well Problems & Repair Advice

Check left side menu for more links to "Well Problems & Repair Advice"

One last thought,
You should consider installing an in line "whole house filter" after the well pump.

Good luck!

K