Googley, I didn't realize your water was brown. Chances are, that's just rust-type crud that's been in the pipes all along and recently got stirred up/knocked loose. You're right, though, it might be hard to remove from things like clothes.

I don't know what brown water tastes like. I don't think I've ever wanted to know.

I hope by the time you read this it's already cleared up and you're back in business.