Tap water in downtown Andover may look brown or discolored while crews continue water main construction in the area, the town warned in an alert posted Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The Andover Department of Public Works said the discoloration is temporary and tied to active construction disturbing the water system. Residents and businesses in and around downtown are most likely to notice changes in water color.

DPW crews are flushing hydrants overnight to help clear sediment from the system, Patch reported.

What to do if your water looks off

Anyone who sees discolored water should run cold water from a bathtub faucet, basement sink or outdoor spigot until it clears. The town said that process flushes nearby pipes and resolves the issue.

The construction behind it

The town has an active water main project on Lowell Street between Argilla Road and Lincoln Street that began the week of June 7 and is expected to continue into fall 2026. The official discoloration alert does not name a specific project, citing only "water main construction activity," but the Lowell Street work is the only active water main project listed in town advisories.

That project has also reduced traffic to alternating one-way travel in the work zone, with police details and flaggers directing drivers.

No timeline for resolution

The town has not said when the discoloration will fully stop. The underlying construction runs through the fall, meaning periodic water quality disruptions could continue for weeks.

Residents with questions can call the Andover DPW at (978) 623-8770.