Brown, rusty water is caused by iron and other materials stirred up in the water mains. This is most often caused by a water main break or annual maintenance. If you are experiencing this problem, simply turn on the COLD water faucet at the lowest level of your home (nearest the water meter) and let the COLD water run for no more than 10 minutes. This should clean out the residue in your service line, and clear the problem. The water is safe to drink, but do not wash whites, since they will discolor.