Residential
Customer Water Tips
Taste and Odor
Cause: Low utilization, temperature, recent plumbing work, home purifiers and filters, freezer contents..all can have a significant influence on taste and odor of the water and ice.
Recommendation: Try flushing your inside faucets throughout your house for about 5 to 10 minutes to clear lines.
Particles
Black Particles: Are they throughout the house or only in one location? Check to see if there is a braided metal line going to the faucet. Certain brands have a rubber lining, which can potentially degradate with age.
Construction in the area? Reversal of flow or pressure fluctuation can cause particle problems.
Recommendations: Allow a few hours for particles or discoloration to settle out. If problem persists, contact the Huntsville Utilities Water Quality Lab.
White/Gray Particles: Typically these particles are calcium carbonate. Calcium has a solubility index, which can be very temperature dependent. Higher temperature settings on your hot water heater will cause additional particle precipitation.
Discoloration
White or Milky water is indicative of air in the lines. This can happen in both hot and cold water, after recent plumbing work or repairs.
Muddy or Rusty water is the result of older galvanized plumbing or can result after plumbing work or repairs. Opening of fire hydrants or flow testing can also result in temporary discoloration.
Recommendation: Try flushing inside and outside faucets in your home for 5 – 10 minutes. If problem persists contact the Huntsville Utilities Water Quality Laboratory.
