Quick take
If brown water affects the whole house, test the source first. Sediment filtration helps particles; iron treatment is needed when dissolved iron is the cause.
Brown water after disturbance
Utility flushing, well work or plumbing changes can temporarily stir sediment. If the issue clears quickly, permanent treatment may not be necessary.
Brown well water from iron
Iron can create yellow, orange or brown discoloration and staining. Whole-house oxidation plus filtration is often the appropriate path for meaningful dissolved iron.
Sediment filtration
Visible particles can be handled with appropriately sized sediment filtration, but a sediment cartridge does not remove dissolved iron before it oxidizes.