Water Information:
Water Quality - FAQ's
Why does my water have an unpleasant
taste and/or odor?
It is very difficult to separate taste
from odor because these two human senses are so closely related.
Most occurances of a peculiar taste or odor in the water can be
grouped into the following categories:
- Chlorinous, bleachy, chemical, and medicinal - Two common causes
are the addition of chlorine to the water by CVWD, and the
interaction of that chlorine with a build up of organic material in
your plumbing system.
- Sulfurous (rotten egg-like), decayed, and sewage-like - Two common
causes are bacteria growing in your drain or bacteria growing in
your water heater. How can I
improve the taste of my drinking water?
Keep a pitcher of chilled tap water in the refrigerator. Not only
will this improve the taste, it will help conserve water because you
don’t need to let the tap run until the water gets cold.
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Why does my water look dirty, have sediment and/or particles in
it?
Some possible causes of problems associated with water which appears
dirty, has an unusual color, or sediment/particles include:
- Sediments or pipe materials from breaks in water mains or
hydrants. Water mains in the distribution system can fail due to
age, corrosion, high pressure surges, or damage by construction
work. Hydrants can also be broken off by vehicles.
- High flows can occur in water mains due to fire fighting, water
system tests, or maintenance. Unusual high-flow conditions can stir
up sediment or scale from the water mains.
- Construction activities – The customer’s service connection from
the distribution main to the water meter is sometimes disturbed by
construction activities of contractors or other utilities.
- Aging galvanized plumbing – Rust particles or scale from
galvanized steel home plumbing can also produce reddish-brown water
or rust particles, particularly noticeable when a tap is first
turned on.
Why do I sometimes get
cloudy water coming out of my faucets?
The cloudy water you are seeing is a result of entrapped air in the
groundwater, a common and harmless condition. To verify this, place
the cloudy water in a glass and observe whether it clears from the
bottom up (you may be left with bubbles on the side of the glass and
a small surface layer of bubbles). If this occurs than you have
dissolved air in the water.
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What causes white spots on my glassware or
silverware?
“Hard” water, which contains more minerals than “soft” water, can
cause spots on glasses or silverware. Locally, water from imported
sources is much harder than our groundwater. It is best to read the
owner’s manual for your dishwasher and follow the manufacturer’s
recommendations regarding hard water. Some other tips that may help
reduce spotting include using hotter water, varying the brand and
type of rinse agent and detergent, and adding white vinegar to the
rinse cycle of the dishwasher.
We recently purchased a
new dishwasher/water softener. What is the water hardness in grains
per gallon (gpg)?
The range of CVWD’s water is 17-22 gpg.
Does CVWD add fluoride to the water?
No, CVWD does not add any additional fluoride into the water.
However, fluoride is found naturally in our water supply. For more
information regarding fluoride levels in the water, please refer to
our Consumer Confidence Report.
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Do I need to be concerned about Giardia or Cryptosporidium?
Giardia and Cryptosporidium are micro-organisms which can cause
gastrointestinal illnesses. The chance of these diseases being found
in your drinking water is very small. Groundwater supplies that
operate with proper well protection like CVWD's are not susceptible
to contamination by these organisms.
Can I have the water in my home or workplace
tested by CVWD?
CVWD routinely collects samples of water in the mains throughout the
service area and sends them to a laboratory for testing. CVWD is not
equipped to provide laboratory testing on water inside residences or
businesses.
Who can I call if I have questions?
The Carpinteria Valley Water District’s can be reached at (805)
684-2816.
Questions and comments can also be sent
online or mailed to: Carpinteria
Valley Water District
1301 Santa Ynez Ave
Carpinteria, CA 93013 The telephone
number for the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline is (800)
426-4791.
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