Frequently Asked Questions

 The cloudy water when you first turn on a faucet 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 because the colder water holds more dissolved air. Air can be introduced into the water after pipe repairs or other service disruptions.

 Place a pitcher of water in your refrigerator for cool, fresh water anytime. 

Chlorine will dissipate with time, and the water will taste fresh.  Reverse Osmosis and activated carbon filters are also effective in removing chlorine from water, but choose a reputable vendor, and be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and maintenance.

 Each year, a few customers call to ask us about pink stains or residues that occasionally develop in moist areas in their homes. They generally observe this in toilet bowls, around sink and tub drains, on shower curtains or other shower surfaces, and even in pet water dishes. The customer naturally wants to know if there is something wrong with his/her water.

No, a pink residue is not a problem with your water quality, and is not harmful in this situation. It is evidence of bacteria that are common inhabitants of our environment. The most typical of these bacteria is one known as Serratia marcescens. These bacteria come from any of a number of naturally-occurring sources, such as soil, mulch, dust, and surface waters, and they thrive in an environment that is moist and high in phosphates. For instance, a pink stain or film often appears during or after construction or remodeling, when dirt and dust containing Serratia are disturbed. More people indicate the problem occurs in the summer months when temperatures and humidity are higher, and especially if windows are kept open for any length of time.

Serratia will not survive in chlorinated drinking water. However, where water stands long enough for the residual chlorine disinfectant to dissipate, such as a toilet in a guest bathroom, or on a shower curtain, the pink color may develop. Customers who remove the chlorine from their water by use of an activated carbon filter may also be more likely to experience the problem.

Once established, Serratia is difficult to eliminate entirely. However, regular and thorough cleaning, followed by disinfection with chlorine bleach, is the best means to control the organism.

• Wipe bathtubs, shower walls and curtains, and around drains in order to dry them, followed by spraying or misting with a product that contains bleach or other disinfectant.
• For toilets, clean the bowl regularly. You may wish to add ¼ cup of bleach to the toilet tank, let stand for 15-20 minutes, and then flush the bowl a couple of times to fully rinse the disinfectant. Bleach should not be left in the toilet tank for prolonged periods, however, as it will damage the rubber seals and valves inside.
• Use care with any abrasives to avoid scratching a fixture or surface, which will raise the likelihood of bacterial growth.
• Clean pet water bowls in a similar manner. Leave a bleach solution in the bowl for 15-20 minutes, followed by thorough rinsing.
• For our customers who have a septic system, consideration should always be given to the amount of bleach or other disinfectants that are allowed to enter the system.

Welcome to the fascinating, but often annoying, world of micro-organisms! If you are experiencing dark gray/black stains or slippery residues in the shower, in a toilet, at a tap, or in the washing machine, you do not have a water quality problem, and you need not fear a health issue. These residues indicate the presence of naturally-occurring mold (fungi), possibly in combination with bacteria, which are commonly seen in our area, and are generally harmless. 

Just as is discussed for the bacteria that cause the pink stains, mold spores that result in the slimy black residues are present in leaves, soil and mulch, especially when moist. They enter your house through open windows and doors, on your pet, and on your own hair and clothing; you truly will be unable to keep them entirely out of your home. As with the Serratia bacteria, the spores that find a moist environment, especially where it is also dark and air flow is limited, will be more likely to survive and thrive. In addition to the locations listed above, the drain tube and bucket of a dehumidifier, and the water dispenser spout of a refrigerator, are other typical places the black film may be found.

As with Serratia, the mold will not survive in chlorinated drinking water. A constantly damp surface where the water stands long enough to lose its residual chlorine disinfectant, however, will serve as a prime growth site – your shower curtain, along the flush pores of a toilet, or inside the aerator of your kitchen faucet. Wipe the walls and door, or curtain, of the shower, and spray or mist with a product that contains bleach or other disinfectant. Remove and soak your sink aerators in a dilute bleach solution, using an old toothbrush to scrub them. Use a cotton swab soaked in bleach to disinfect the refrigerator water dispenser. (Caution - our water customers who are served by a septic system should always limit the amount of bleach or other disinfectants that enter the drains).

Note that another form of black staining is not microbial in nature, but due to the chemistry of the water. This is the black staining related to excessive manganese in the water, and is quite commonly seen with the untreated water from private wells in our area. Manganese removal will require a specialized water treatment.

Note also that the discussion above does not include the black stains that may be present on the interior side of cinder block, or on drywall, plywood, or other surfaces where a moisture problem exists, such as in a basement, crawl space, or under vinyl flooring . This is mold of other types, and may possibly be a health concern. The RLMA recommends that you call a mold remediation specialist or a certified home inspector if you require assistance in this area.

1. Check your toilets for leaks. Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately.
2. Check faucets and pipes for leaks. The smallest drip from a worn washer can waste 20 or more gallons a day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds