About Your Water

Black Specks

Black specks can be either deterioration of rubber gaskets in the plumbing, or manganese precipitating into the water. If the specks smear between your fingers, it's a deteriorating gasket — replace it. If the water also has a brownish-black color, it may be manganese; call us, as we may need to flush the water main distribution lines servicing your home.

White Specks

White specks are most likely caused by deterioration of the dip tube in your hot water heater, or calcium precipitate. Place the specks in vinegar — if they float, it's a deteriorating dip tube that needs replacing. If they fizz, it's calcium precipitate, and you can flush your home's lines by letting the water run freely for a few minutes.

Hard Water

Our water is classified as hard/very hard, with a 2010 hardness average of 207 mg/l (about 12.1 grains/gallon). Hardness is caused by naturally occurring calcium and magnesium, and can leave spots on dishes and scale in pipes and hot water heaters. Setting your water heater to 130°F or below helps.

Reddish-Brown or Rusty Water

Rusty-brown water may come from internal plumbing, the service line to your home, or your hot water tank. Let the water run for a few minutes to clear it; if that doesn't work, call us to flush distribution lines near your home. Avoid doing laundry if your water appears rusty, since it can stain clothes.

Cloudy Water

Cloudy water is usually tiny air bubbles, similar to a carbonated drink. Fill a clear glass and wait a few minutes — if the bubbles don't clear, give us a call.

Sulfur Smell

A rotten-egg or sulfur smell usually indicates bacteria growing in a drain or water heater. Disinfect the drain with a household cleaner like bleach. If that doesn't help, turn your water heater temperature up high for a short period to disinfect it, then turn it back down to prevent scalding.

Pink/Orange Stain

A pink or orange stain is a naturally occurring airborne bacteria that thrives on moisture, dust, and phosphates. It's harmless to most people, though it can occasionally cause infections. Wipe it off with a disinfectant (avoid abrasives that can scratch fixtures), and keep bathroom fixtures dry to minimize recurrence.

Pressure Problems

Temporary low pressure can result from heavy local water use (lawn watering, firefighting, construction) and resolves once the activity ends. Permanent low pressure can be caused by home elevation relative to water tanks, undersized pipes, or scale buildup — more common in older homes.

If your pressure has changed, your pressure-reducing valve (PRV) may be defective. PRVs reduce incoming pressure to a desirable level (normally about 60 psi) and are installed and maintained by the customer. If a single faucet has low pressure, check for a partially closed valve under the sink or a clogged faucet screen before calling us.

Water Quality Reports

Annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) are available on our Forms & Documents page, with the most recent at the top.