Water Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

• My drinking water looks cloudy when first taken from a faucet and then it clears up. Why?
   
• What is the 'pink slime' that I sometimes find in my shower?
   
• There is a blue-green stain where my water drips into my sink. What causes this?
   
• Is my water soft or hard?
   
• Is water with chlorine in it safe to drink?
   
• My water faucet drips, should I fix it?

My drinking water looks cloudy when first taken from a faucet and then it clears up. Why?

The cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in carbonated soft drinks. After a while, the bubbles rise to the top and are gone. This type of cloudiness occurs more often in the winter, when the water is cold.

What is the ‘pink slime’ that I sometimes find in my shower?

Certain species of airborne bacteria thrive in a moist environment, such as showerheads, sink drains, tiles, dog dishes and humidifiers. These slimes are naturally occurring and are generally harmless. The best way to avoid this problem is to keep these surfaces free from the bacterial film through regular cleaning using Lysol or a chlorine-based product.

There is a blue-green stain where my water drips into my sink. What causes this?

The stain comes from the chemical copper. Copper is present in most home plumbing.

Is my water soft or hard?

Your water is medium soft. Harness levels generally range from 60-90 parts per million or milligrams per liter. Most dishwasher instructions call for adding soaps according to grains per gallon. This is equal to 3.5-5.0 grains per gallon.

Is water with chlorine in it safe to drink?

Yes. Many tests have shown that the amount of chlorine found in treated water is safe to drink. Chlorine is needed to maintain disinfection throughout the distribution system.

My water faucet drips, should I fix it?

Yes. Drips waste water and it costs you money. As an example, if you have a faucet that drips 60 times a minute, this adds up to over 3 gallons each day or 1,225 gallons a year. To fix a leak, call your local plumber.