Below are the most common and frequently asked questions & answers about MVD’s water.
APPEARANCE:
Cloudy, White, or Milky – Caused by air which is harmless. As the water sits, the air will dissipate and the water will clear.
Brown/Orange/Rusty – Typically caused by sediment, such as naturally occurring iron, that accumulates in the water mains located in the street and in the service lines connected to the water. While discolored “brown” water is not aesthetically pleasing it is not unsafe*. Sediment is normally settled in the mains and service lines, however it can be “stirred up” causing it to dislodge and subsequently discolor the water.
Sand – What appears as “sand” is actually a derivative of calcium carbonate, a naturally occurring compound. “Sand” occurs due to issues with hot water heaters, such as the temperature being set too high – refer to the manufacturer’s manual for additional information or contact a licensed plumber.
The following are the most frequent cause of these types of issues:
- Water Outages
- Pressure Fluctuations
- High Demand/High Usage ex: water main flushing/excessive seasonal usage
- Water Main and Service Line Breaks or Substantial Water Leaks
- Plumbing Disturbances ex: repairs/issues or damages/water leaks
Discolored water can be easily resolved by flushing the water service line to the property. Flushing allows a larger than normal quantity of water to flow through the service line which helps clear out the sediment. Note: the discoloration can return after the water has sat in the lines for a period of time, such as overnight or during the day if it’s not being used – this is to be expected. When the water is not used for a longer period of time the sediment settles, when water is turned on it is agitated and the discoloration returns. If this happens you may repeat the flushing process. If your water is discolored, we recommend avoiding the use of hot water until the cold water is clear. If you are noticing discoloration in the hot water, the water heater may need to be flushed – refer to the manufacturer’s manual for additional information or contact a licensed plumber.
TASTE/SMELL:
Chlorine/Bleach – Chlorine is a highly efficient disinfectant. MVD uses chlorine to neutralize bacteria, parasites, viruses, and assorted harmful microorganisms before it enters the distribution system and is used by customers. The EPA mandates that a certain level of chlorine be present in public water supplies which is known as a “residual.” The maximum residual is 4 mg/l. MVD’s levels are typically lower that 1 mg/l which is well below the maximum and therefore the presence of chlorine is typically unnoticed. The strength of chlorine scent/taste can depend on the distance of your property to the treatment source (the further away the property is, the more the chlorine dissipates) as well as the time of year. For example, chlorine dissipates more quickly in warm weather so treatment levels may be increased in order to compensate for the dissipation. Additionally, the strength of the taste/smell is different for each person – some people are more sensitive to chlorinated water than others. While a chlorine smell is certainly unpleasant, over time, chlorinated water will naturally lose its smell, but if preferred using a filtration system will eliminate the odor immediately.
Sulfur/”Rotten Eggs” – Sulfur bacteria are naturally present in groundwater. The smell of sulfur is produced when sulfur bacteria break down organic matter and release hydrogen sulfide gas, often leaving an aroma of rotten eggs. Sulfur bacteria dwell in oxygen deficient environments such as plumbing systems and feed on decaying organic matter, creating hydrogen sulfide gas that gets trapped in water sources. If you smell sulfur only when you use the hot tap, your water heater may be the culprit. Reactions caused by the magnesium rod and aluminum in your water heater produce hydrogen sulfide gas, yielding a stronger sulfur scent when you use the hot water – refer to the manufacturer’s manual for additional information or contact a licensed plumber.
