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Common Water Quality Issues
Changes in water taste, smell, or color may be caused by a variety of factors, including natural changes in our source water, nearby construction activity, fire hydrant testing or flushing, and plumbing problems.
In rare cases, such as after a large water main break or wide-scale loss of system pressure, we may issue a boil water advisory as a precaution. Learn more about boil water advisories
In rare cases, such as after a large water main break or wide-scale loss of system pressure, we may issue a boil water advisory as a precaution. Learn more about boil water advisories
Discolored water
Mineral deposits can accumulate inside of some water mains. Most of the time this isn't a problem, but changes in water pressure resulting from construction activity or the use of fire hydrants can cause these deposits to break loose and dissolve in the water, resulting in discoloration.In many cases, our crews can eliminate most of the discolored water by opening nearby fire hydrants to flush the discolored water from the pipe. However, if you experience discolored water, let your faucet run until the water appears clear. If the problem persists, call us at 727-6800.
Rotten egg odor
A rotten egg odor is typically caused by one of three things in your home’s plumbing system: Sulfur-producing bacteria in your water heater, a dried up S-trap in an unused sink, or decaying food in a kitchen sink disposal.If you only notice the odor when you use hot or warm water, it’s probably your water heater. Consult the owner’s manual for instructions on how to flush it.
If the problem occurs in an unused bathroom, turn on the tap to fill the S-trap. If the odor is in the kitchen only, try cleaning the drain disposal.
Pink or black growth on fixtures
Pink staining and black growth are both are caused by airborne microorganisms that thrive in warm, moist areas such as bathrooms and laundry rooms—not by anything in the water.Some people observe a black gunk on their faucets and in toilets. This is a type of mold that grows rapidly in dark, humid places, producing a black string-like material that can break loose and hang from faucets.
Pink film that typically appears around drains is caused by airborne bacteria that also thrive in moist areas, such as sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.
The best way to combat both is frequent cleaning with a bleach solution. Make sure you have proper ventilation in bathrooms, and repair dripping faucets to keep the area around drains dry.
Earthy-musty taste and smell
In the Spring and sometimes in the Fall, our tap water may develop what's most often described as an "earthy" or "musty" taste and smell. This is caused by natural changes in our source water. It is temporary and harmless.It's caused by blue-green algae in the Bushy Park Reservoir, our primary water source. Algae produce two harmless compounds, MIB and Geosmin, which have a distinctive earthy-musty taste and odor. (Geosmin is found in beets—it gives beets their earthy flavor.)
People’s sensitivity varies, but the human nose can detect these compounds in quantities as small as 5 parts per trillion. We monitor MIB and Geosmin levels closely and track customer complaints to determine when to adjust the treatment process to minimize the earthy-mustiness.
To minimize the taste, try refrigerating a pitcher of tap water. Taste is less noticeable in cold water.
To report a taste and odor concern, e-mail us or call Customer Service at 843-727-6800.