Winnipeggers living in the north River Heights and Tuxedo areas may find brown water flowing from their taps on Thursday, as crews turn on a feeder main that had been turned off for inspection and cleaning.

The feeder main, which crosses the Assiniboine River at St. James Street, is expected to be brought back to full service on Wednesday night.

As the main is turned on again, the city says flowing water may loosen up sediment, including dead algae and minerals, that may have settled in the large pipes.

As a result, some residents in the following areas might see temporarily discoloured water on Thursday morning:

Along Wellington Crescent.

North River Heights.

Sir John Franklin.

Old Tuxedo.

Edgeland.

Tuxedo.

The city is encouraging residents in those neighbourhoods to check their tap water before using it.

If their water is discoloured, residents should not use it for drinking, for preparing food and beverages or for laundry because it doesn't taste or smell pleasant and it can stain clothing.

Instead, anyone with brown water should run a cold-water tap for a few minutes, turn it off, wait 30 minutes and try again.

If the water still is no clear after two to three hours, the city says residents should call 311.

The city had warned people in the same neighbourhoods about the possibility of discoloured water in late October, when work was set to begin on inspecting and cleaning the feeder main.