Commercially made ice is stirred when frozen, but household ice is not. Without mixing, many more ice crystals form and air will get trapped in the ice. Light rays are distorted by these crystals and this distortion gives residential frozen ice a cloudy appearance. Dissolved, naturally occurring minerals (calcium and magnesium) in the water also tend to settle out when the water freezes. You may notice these minerals floating in your glass when you use the ice cubes.

What is the white ring on the inside of my coffeepot and how can I get rid of it?

Dissolved minerals (calcium and magnesium) in water are left behind when water evaporates or is heated. These minerals are white and accumulate in teapots and coffee pots. These white minerals can also be found on shower heads and glass shower doors.

To remove these minerals, fill the teapots and coffee pots with vinegar and let them sit overnight. Soak shower heads overnight in a plastic bowl filled with vinegar. When you are done soaking, carefully discard the contents of the plastic bowl down the drain and flush the container and sink drain with plenty of water. Rinse the teapots, coffee pots, or shower heads thoroughly after treatment and before use.

White spots on glass shower doors are difficult to remove with vinegar because the spots dissolve very slowly. A better idea is to prevent the spots from forming by wiping the glass doors with a damp sponge or towel after each shower.

What is that smell in my water?

The three most common smells customers inquire about are:

• Chlorine is a disinfectant that is added to the water to kill germs. Typically, between 0.8 ppm -1.2 ppm of chlorine is added to the water to ensure there will be sufficient disinfectant to kill germs at the farthest point from the water treatment plants.
• MIB (methylisoborneol)/Geosmin, harmless by-products given off from algae in the lakes and canals.
• Dirty drains. People commonly mistake smells coming from their drains as “smelly” water. To accurately determine if a smell is coming from your water fill a clean glass with cool water and walk away from the tap to smell it. Most of the time the smell will not be in the glass. Pouring bleach in the drain will kill germs that may be growing in the trap.

What is the pink or black stuff in my toilet and shower?

Sometimes a pinkish film will appear during and after new construction or remodeling activities. The dirt/dust that gets stirred up from the work probably contains Serratia bacteria. Once airborne, the bacteria seek moist environments to proliferate. Some people have even noted the pink residue in their pet’s water bowl, which causes no apparent harm and can be easily cleaned off. Others have indicated that their experience with this nuisance occurs during a time of year when their windows are open for the majority of the day. These airborne bacteria can come from any number of naturally occurring sources, and the condition can be further aggravated if customers remove the chlorine from their water by way of an activated carbon filter.

The best solution to keep these surfaces free from this bacterial film is continual cleaning. A chlorinous compound is best, but use care with abrasives to avoid scratching the fixtures, which will make them even more susceptible to bacteria. Chlorine bleach can be periodically stirred into the toilet tank and flushed into the bowl itself. As the tank refills, more bleach can be added. Three to five tablespoons of fresh bleach should be all that is necessary. A toilet cake that contains a disinfectant can keep a residual in the water at all times. The porous walls of a toilet tank can harbor many opportunistic organisms.

Cleaning and flushing with chlorine will not completely eliminate the problem but will help to control these bacteria. Keep bathtubs and sinks wiped down and dry to avoid this problem. Using a cleaning solution that contains chlorine will help curtail the onset of the bacteria.

While all water utilities are concerned about the quality of the product they are supplying to their customers, they cannot guarantee water quality once it leaves the pressurized distribution system and enters the customer’s plumbing.

Why has my water been cut off?

If the bill hasn’t been paid by the due date, then water may be discontinued. If there is a break in the water line, you may experience a temporary interruption in your water. There may also be repair work to the water system, or construction in the area, that requires a temporary cut-off. To find out about these kinds of problems, you can call 864-476-3188 during the day or 1-877-707-3855 after hours.

Why is my water pressure low?

If your water pressure suddenly drops to nothing or to a small trickle please contact the WRWD at 864-476-3188 Monday thru Friday during office hours or 877-707-3855 after hours and on weekends.

Another cause of low water pressure is high demand during periods of low supply, such as during periods with water restrictions.

If you have been experiencing low water pressure on an ongoing basis, check to see if the low pressure is only noticeable in certain parts of the house or only from the hot or cold water. If the answer is yes, this would indicate a problem with your home’s interior plumbing. You may need to contact a plumber.

If the low pressure is noticeable throughout the entire house and tends to drop when more than one faucet is being used, this indicates a need for further investigation. Report these problems to our office at 864-476-3188.

IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY AFTER HOURS, PLEASE CALL 1-877-707-3855

Why is my water bill so high?

If it’s higher than usual, you may have a problem with your plumbing, such as a running commode, a leak in your pipes or underground, or just extra use.