Occasionally customers ask questions about their water as a result of some change in its taste, smell or appearance. These characteristics are not usually related to health effects but do affect the aesthetic and perceived-health quality of the water. In any case, these characteristics are of concern to the Water Resources Department, as well. The following are some descriptions that may be helpful in answering your questions about water changes.

Milky, Cloudy or White Water
Cloudy water is usually caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to gas bubbles in carbonated drinks. This usually happens during winter months when air gets mixed into the cold water and then the water is warmed as it sits in household plumbing or hot water heaters. Cold water can hold more air than warm water. When the warmed water is released from a faucet into a glass, the air bubbles rise to the top and the water clears. There is no health risk associated with air in water.

Air can also occur in water after routine repairs to waterlines. If the air does not clear up or if it seems excessive, contact the Water Resources Department at 336-373-2033.

Chlorine Taste and Odor
We are required by law to provide disinfectant (chlorine) residuals to the taps of our customers to protect water from harmful bacteria. This may mean that you encounter chlorine-type tastes and odors from time to time. If you find these objectionable, fill a container with water and store it in the refrigerator for drinking. Leave the cap slightly loose and most of the chlorine smell should dissipate.

You can also use a hand-held pitcher with an activated carbon filter to remove chlorine or install a point-of-use water treatment device on a faucet for your cooking and drinking water. Be certain that the device has been tested by an independent organization for aesthetic (non-health) use. ANSI/NSF Standard 42 establishes minimum requirements for materials, design and construction, and performance of drinking water devices that reduce specific aesthetic-related contaminants in public and private water supplies. These products usually contain activated carbon that can remove many chemicals that affect taste and odor, including chlorine.

Point of use devices contain filter cartridges that must be changed out periodically. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s recommendations to replace the cartridges. If you plan to store water from these devices, treat the water as a food product, and use clean, airtight containers and refrigerate, as the water is no longer protected from bacteriological contamination.

Discolored Water
Yellow, rusty, or brownish colored water is usually due to flow changes in the system that stir up iron and manganese-containing sediments. There are no health-related limits for iron or manganese in drinking water. These minerals, however, can result in staining of white laundry. Items stained by washing in discolored water should not be bleached (this will set the color into the fabric). They should be washed again in clear water. Using a laundry cleaner specifically manufactured for iron removal may be helpful as well. These products are available at most laundry product retailers.

Discolored water can also be the result of in-house plumbing problems, such as the attachment of dissimilar metals like copper and galvanized pipes or cracked glass liners in hot water tanks. In general, these in-house discolored water problems will be characterized by a spurt of discolored water when the water is first turned on or will be limited to hot water.

Rusty water can also occur in the system if there is a change or increase in water flow caused by water main breaks, valve operation, or fire hydrant activation. These activities dislodge small particles of rust and stir up sediments in pipes. It is a temporary condition and should clear up in a couple of hours. The Water Resources Department is aware of what is happening at any particular time and how long the condition should last. If possible, avoid dishwashing or laundry until the condition clears up.

If you experience ongoing discolored water for which you can find no in-house remedy, call the Water Resources Department at 336-373-2033.

Musty, moldy, or earthy taste or odor in the water
Earthy/musty tastes and odors that occur in drinking water can be related to several factors. Two common causes are bacteria growing in your drain and certain types of organisms growing in the City's water supply.  

By far, the most common cause of this type of problem is the drain. Over time organic matter (such as hair, soap, and food waste) can accumulate on the walls of the drain. Bacteria can grow on these organic deposits. As the bacteria grow and multiply, they produce gases that can smell musty or moldy. These gases accumulate in the drain until the water is turned on. As the water runs down the drain, the gases are expelled into the air around the sink. It is natural to assume the bad odor is coming from the water because the smell is noticeable only when the water is on. However, there is nothing wrong with the water, but the drain may need to be disinfected.

The other cause of this type of taste or odor in the water is much less common and results from certain types of algae, fungi, and bacteria growing in the water supply reservoirs. As these organisms grow and multiply, they excrete small amounts of harmless chemicals into the water that cause a musty, moldy, or earthy taste and odor.

The two most common chemicals are geosmin and methylisoborneal (MIB). Although these chemicals are harmless, the human senses of taste and smell are extremely sensitive to them and can detect them in the water at concentrations as low as 5 parts per trillion (nanograms per liter). The City manages and monitors the water in its reservoirs carefully to prevent these organisms from growing to levels that affect the taste and odor of the water, but sometimes Mother Nature wins. If an algal bloom does occur in a City reservoir, it can take several weeks to eradicate the bloom. At the treatment plant, activated carbon can be added once the problem is discovered.

Similar “stale” tastes and odors may also occur in distribution lines related to low flow situations. The remedy in this case usually involves flushing out the affected lines by City crews. Also, anytime plumbing has been unused for a long time, the water can develop an unpleasant taste, so faucets should be run a short time to bring in fresh water. There are no adverse health effects associated with earthy/musty taste and odor substances.

Fluoride
Greensboro fluoridates the water in all of its treatment facilities. Fluoride is provided at a level of about .7 milligram per liter, which provides an optimal level of fluoride for protection against tooth decay.

Pink or black residues on surfaces in contact with water
Such residues may occur in showers, toilet bowls or tanks, pet bowls, bath tub toys, coffee reservoirs, cold air humidifiers—on any surface that stays moist and is not cleaned thoroughly and regularly. These are generally the result of biological growth—molds, fungus, bacteria or algae that have originated from the air or the surfaces themselves. These microbes grow well in moist areas and the water that remains in these areas has typically lost its chlorine (disinfectant) through natural reaction or volatilization. The simple remedy is to keep such areas dry and clean them regularly with a disinfectant solution.

White or black particles
These can occur as a result of degradation of hot water tank dip tubes (white) or degradation of faucet gaskets, supply tubing or pipe coatings (black). If the particles are occurring due to these causes, some basic trouble-shooting may help isolate the problem, such as determining whether the problem occurs only in hot water piping or certain faucets.

My water is cloudy and/or tastes bad. Who should I contact?
Contact the Water Resources Department's construction and maintenance division at 336-373-2033 to report concerns about the taste, smell, or appearance of your water. Hydrant flushing may be required to clear lines of cloudy water due to construction or maintenance of water mains.

Is my water safe? Do I need to boil my water or seek an alternate source due to specialized medical needs?
Drinking water as provided by public water suppliers is treated and disinfected. It is not sterile, however. Those with severely compromised immune systems—advanced AIDS, organ transplant patients, cancer patients on chemotherapy, or those with other conditions that greatly impair the natural immune response—may wish to take special precautions regarding the water they consume. Persons with these concerns are encouraged to seek advice from their physicians.

In the event of a major interruption in water service, such as a water main break, customers may be advised to boil their water. This can happen even in properly treated public water supplies like Greensboro’s. When water service is interrupted and mains are depressurized, there is an increased risk that substances might be drawn into mains through seepage or cross-connections. As a result, in larger outages, systems are required to issue “boil water advisories” until bacteriological sampling shows the water has not been contaminated. Such sampling usually takes 24 to 48 hours to be completed once water service is restored. The Water Resources Department monitors the water in such depressurization instances to verify the water has not been contaminated.

My family has been sick. How can I be sure my water is not the cause?
With increased public awareness on issues related to health and infectious diseases, the Water Resources Department is occasionally asked whether City water could be the cause of illness. This is highly unlikely, since City water is disinfected, staff use utmost care in maintaining the distribution system, and chlorine is added at booster stations where needed. In response to such inquiries, however, the City's Water Supply Lab schedules on-site water testing for bacteria and chlorine (disinfectant) residuals, as well as other basic water quality parameters. Call the Water Quality Lab at 336-373-7527 or email to schedule an on-site analysis.

I have low water pressure in my home. Who should I contact?
Contact the Water Resources Department's construction and maintenance division at 336-373-2033 for water pressure problems.

What is the range of water pressure in Greensboro?
The range of water pressure is between 40 and 120 psi (pounds per square inch).