Many of the water mains in Lincoln are constructed of cast iron. Generally, short periods of rusty water may appear after a main has been shut down for repair or if a nearby hydrant has been used. A call to the Lincoln Water System 402-441-5922 will result in a request for you to run your cold water for several (10) minutes to clear the rusty water out of your service. If you are still experiencing rusty water, Lincoln Water System will send personnel to your area to flush the city mains to eliminate the rust from service lines.
Other sources of rust could also be from your own service. If you have any galvanized internal lines or fittings, you can expect to have periodic episodes of discolored water, especially after a period of non-use. The water heater can also be a source of rusty-water problems. If only the hot water is rusty, that indicates that the problem lies in the water heater.