Before calling, please try and have the following questions answered, so we can best determine the cause of your water quality issue:
How long has this been occurring?
Is there a color? What is the color?
Is there any sediment or rust? If there is residue, what does it look like?
Is there a smell? Does it smell like chlorine or rotten eggs?
Does the issue only occur when running hot or cold water?
Does the problem occur only when you are gone for extended periods?
Do you live at a dead-end or cul-de-sac?
Do you have filters or softeners? Is the device for your whole house or only for a specific faucet?
Is the issue occurring throughout the whole house or only at particular locations?
Have you observed recent construction in your area?
Do you have an irrigation system? If so, are you updated with your Backflow and Customer Service Inspections?
Have you experienced an increase in water usage that may indicate a leak?
Quick Reference Guide for Common Water Quality Issues:
Issue |
Possible Cause |
Solution |
Cloudy / Milky Colored Water |
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Black Floating Particles |
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Black Particles |
Internally activated in-line charcoal filter |
By-pass filter and call a service company |
White Floating Particles |
Deteriorating water heater dip tube |
Service water heater |
Brown particles are uniform in size |
Resin from the water softener |
Service water softener |
Rust |
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|
White or Light colored sediment |
Hard water (calcium carbonate will precipitate when heated or frozen) |
Flush water heater regularly, every 6 months, to remove loose calcium carbonate. |
Sand |
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Low Pressure |
Multiple factors can cause low pressure. |
See our Quick Reference Guide for Common Water Pressure Issues page for a complete list of possible causes and solutions. |
Taste |
Internal plumbing work |
Flush internal water lines |
Odor |
Odor coming from sink drain |
Contact Sewage Provider/Septic Company |