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Where
does tap water come from?
There are two major sources of tap water: surface water and groundwater.
Surface water comes from lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
Groundwater comes from wells that are drilled into aquifers.
An aquifer is an underground geologic formation through which water
flows slowly. Is
Pasadena water safe to drink? Yes. The water delivered to
your water meter meets all state and federal drinking water standards and
is safe to use without further treatment. However, you, the user, are
responsible for plumbing and treatment devices installed on your
property. Sub-standard, illegal, old, improperly installed and/or
improperly maintained plumbing or water treatment devices may adversely
affect the water quality coming from the taps inside your home or
business. A list of National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved water
treatment devices and plumbing materials is available by calling the NSF
at (800) 673-8010 or log onto their web site at http://www.nsf.org/database.html How
can I have my water tested?
If you have a specific concern (e.g. lead contamination from your
plumbing) or would just like to verify our test results, services for
water testing are available from commercial, environmental laboratories
for a fee. This fee varies depending on the number of constituents you
would like tested in the water. A simple lead test will usually cost
around thirty or fifty dollars. If you had the water tested for everything
that PWP tests for, it would cost well over a thousand dollars. You can
obtain references for qualified laboratories by contacting the State of
California Department of Health Services (DHS) at (213) 580-5731. Do
water filters work and should I use one?
As with most products, some filters work better than others and some
do not work at all. If you do install a water filter, follow the operating
and maintenance instructions very carefully. An improperly installed and
/or maintained filter can adversely affect the water quality. There are
many types of filters available, each type works differently and will
remove different substances from the water. It will be very helpful for
you to know exactly why you want to filter the water before you speak to a
seller of water treatment devices. If you choose to filter your water,
there are several resources available to you to assist you in choosing a
filter that works properly and will meet your needs. Consumer Reports
Magazine will occasionally compare the various types of water filters and
explain which types remove which constituents. They also compare various
models and report on which ones work the best. A list of National
Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved water treatment devices is available
by calling the NSF at (800) 673-8010. The Pacific Water Quality
Association is an association of manufacturers and marketers of water
treatment devices and can be reached at (800) 992-8375. Or consult the
Yellow Pages for a seller of treatment devices in your area. I
read about the problem of oil spills. Do they pollute drinking water sources?
Although oil spilled in the oceans is bad for the environment, it is not a
danger to drinking water sources. However,
ship and barge accidents can contaminate surface water sources (rivers and
lakes). Many highways
and railroad tracks pass over drinking water sources, creating a potential
for contamination if a truck or freight train accident occurs.
These types of accidents do not directly affect groundwater
sources. How
can I help prevent pollution of drinking water sources?
Properly dispose of the chemicals you use in your home.
Every chemical you buy has the potential of polluting the
environment if disposed of improperly.
Remember, if your home is served by a sewage system, your drain is
an entrance to your wastewater disposal system and eventually to a
drinking water source. Discharges
from septic tank drain fields may pollute ground waters.
Treat your wastewater system with respect. Do
I need to be concerned about lead in my drinking water?
The water supplied to your home by PWP carries no detectable
amount of lead. However, in
rare cases lead can dissolve into water from your own plumbing.
This is most likely to happen if you have lead pipes or copper
pipes with lead solder which are less than 10 years old. Before
taking that first drink of water in the morning, or anytime when water has
been standing in a pipeline for several hours, allow the faucet to run for
about 30 seconds. Catch this water in a pitcher for watering houseplants
and other uses. When
drawing water for cooking, use the coldwater tap. Cold water is less
likely to leach lead from solder. If
plumbing repairs are required, make sure the work is being done with
lead-free solder. Can
my home water lines be tested for lead?
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a “high risk”
designation for homes with lead pipes or copper pipes with lead solder
installed within the last twenty years.
These home are covered by a federally mandated sampling program and
their water may be tested free of charge.
There is a service charge for water sampling of homes not in the
“high risk” category. PWP
is the authorized testing agency. To
participate in the sampling program or simply to get more information
about water quality, please contact: Brad Boman at (626) 744-4278. PWP's
drinking water is moderately hard, with an average of 13.8 grains of
hardness per gallon of water. Water hardness can vary with the source of
the water, and your drinking water is generally softest during summer
months. When
should you expect hard water in Pasadena?
Because the source of PWP’s water varies at different times of the
year, the hardness of our drinking water also varies. Typically, the water
is the softest from May to September when we rely on groundwater from
local wells. Our water is the hardest from October to April, when PWP
purchases imported surface water from Metropolitan Water District of
Southern California (MWD). In
purchasing a water softener, be aware of various recharging procedures,
since these vary significantly from model to model. Listed below are a few
of the various options for recharging water softeners. Some
water softeners can be recharged with the manual addition of salt. Some
water softeners have tank cartridges that periodically must be removed and
replaced. Some water
softeners have a time clock that can be programmed for recharging. Some
water softeners have an electronic sensor that initiates recharging. What
are some disadvantages of "soft water"?
Excessively "soft water" can cause corrosion in pipes. Also,
increased levels of sodium in softened drinking water may pose a health
consideration for some people on restricted sodium diets. What
are some benefits of soft water? Soft water can help
maintain the unobstructed flow in water pipes and extend the life of
bathtubs, sinks, and toilets by minimizing the buildup of mineral
deposits. It can also reduce soapy films on tubs and shower tiles, promote
thorough rinsing of shampoos and soaps, and improve the efficiency of
water heaters. Washing clothes in soft water requires less soap. Is
it okay to use hot tap water for cooking? Not
from the tap: use cold water instead.
Hot water is more likely to contain rust and lead from your
household plumbing and water heater. Why
does my dishwater leave spots on my glasses?
Harmless minerals that remain on the glass when the water
evaporates cause the spots that may appear on glassware after it is washed
or air-dried. Commercial
products are available that allow the water to drain from the glassware
more completely. Spots on
glass shower doors appear for the same reason. Why
does my drinking water taste or smell “funny”, and will this smelly
water make me sick?
The three most common reasons for bad tasting or smelling water are:
A funny taste can come from the chlorine that is added to the water to
kill germs; A harmless, smelly chemical---hydrogen sulfide---dissolved in
the water causes a rotten-egg odor in some groundwater; As algae grow in
surface water sources, they give off harmless, smelly chemicals that can
cause unpleasant tastes in drinking water.
Generally, the chemicals that cause a bad taste in drinking water
will not make you sick. If
I want to kill all of the germs in my d My
drinking water is dark colored, nearly black.
What causes this? When
manganese, a harmless chemical, dissolves in water, it is colorless. When
the manganese combines with air as you take water from your faucet, the
manganese turns black. Why
does my drinking water sometimes appear cloudy or milky? Air
in the water can create a cloudy or milky appearance. Turning on a faucet
releases pressure in the water piping system, causing hundreds of tiny air
bubbles to form. Like the carbon dioxide in soft drinks, the air bubbles
will disappear after a few minutes. You
may notice air in your drinking water when the water has been pumped from
groundwater wells or after water pipeline repairs. Is
there fluoride in my drinking water?
Fluoride is not added to PWP's drinking water, but a small amount
occurs naturally in the water. The fluoride level is usually highest
during summer. Drinking water
with the right amount of fluoride has been shown to reduce the risk of
cavities, especially for children. On
average, there are 0.46 milligrams of fluoride in a liter of PWP drinking
water. There are government
regulations that spell out how much fluoride can be in drinking water.
Dialysis patients should check with their doctor about their source
of water. Why
does my drinking water sometimes have a reddish or yellowish color?
Rust in household water pipes or in water pipes under city streets can
create the reddish or yellowish color. The rust is a compound of iron and
oxygen that is harmless in drinking water but can stain clothes and
porcelain fixtures. Some rusting color is most noticeable after pipe
repairs or during periods of low water use. To determine the source of
rust, let water run from a faucet in your home. If the water clears after
a few minutes, the rust may be coming from household water pipes. If the
water clears only after a long period of time, the rust may be coming from
city water pipes. In that instance, please call (626) 744-4278 to speak to
a PWP customer representative. My
water faucet drips a little; should I bother to fix it?
Yes. Drips waste a
precious product, and this waste should be stopped, even though the
dripping water may not register on your water meter.
To find out how much water you’re wasting, put a measuring cup
under the drip and find out how many minutes it takes to fill it up.
Divide the filling time into 90 (90 + minutes to fill) to get the
gallons of water wasted each day. How
do I handle water emergencies?
Water is vital to everyday life, necessary for health and should never
be taken for granted. It is very important to be prepared for water
emergencies BEFORE they occur. Earthquakes,
floods, high winds, droughts and forest or brush fires are events that can
create water emergencies. Likewise, broken water mains, power outages,
treatment plant breakdowns, and failure of storage tanks or equipment are
considered "water system" emergencies. Learn
how to shut off the main water valve to your house. Make sure you know the
location of the valve; have the necessary tools to operate it; and mark it
with fluorescent paint or tape for locating the valve in the dark. Purchase
bottled water or store water in clean unbreakable containers that can be
properly sealed or capped after filling.
It is recommended to have at least one gallon of water per person
and per pet per day, and store enough water for three to five days.
Keep water stored in a cool area away from direct sunlight.
Water should be replaced every six months. If
you must use tap water during a water emergency, make sure your water has
been disinfected by boiling it for 5 minutes or your can use
water-disinfecting tablets (4 per gallon), tincture of iodine (12 drops
per gallon) or liquid chlorine (8-10 drops per gallon).
After treatment, mix the water thoroughly and let it stand for 30
minutes before use. If
the water has been chemically polluted, these methods will not disinfect
your water: Do not use this water. How
can I be sure that the water standards are set appropriately?
National and state drinking water regulations require the monitoring
of all public water systems for more than 100 substances that could cause
adverse health effects. Most water quality standards were established
after significant research and represent the maximum and safe level of a
substance that can be consumed by a person drinking two liters per day for
seventy years. PWP's water continually tests safe and is in compliance
with both state and federal regulations. Why
is disinfectant added to the water?
Disinfectants, such as chlorine, stop bacteria from growing in water
pipelines. PWP uses disinfectants where necessary throughout the water
system. If the slight chlorine taste of smell is bothersome, you can chill
your water overnight in the refrigerator. The chlorine compounds will
dissipate reducing the smell and taste. Should
I buy bottled water?
You shouldn’t buy bottled water for health reasons (see NOTE below)
if your drinking water meets all of the federal, state, or provincial
drinking water standards (ask you local supplier).
If you want a drink with a different taste, you can buy bottled
water, but it costs about 1,000 times as much as municipal drinking water.
Remember that the US bottled-water industry is less regulated than
municipal drinking water. The
US Food and Drug Administration only requires that the bottled water be
clear and safe for human consumption without imposing specific water
quality requirements, and the quality of the finished product is not
monitored. Certain bottlers
simply fill their bottles with city drinking water, thus producing
“bottled water”. Studies
have shown that microbes grow in the bottles while on grocers’ shelves.
NOTE:
Individuals placed on a highly restrictive sodium diet should have
their doctors suggest a brand of bottled water that contains less sodium. What
is gray water? Gray water is untreated household wastewater that has not come in
contact with toilet water; such as laundry and dishwasher rinse water. In
Pasadena, gray water can be used for sub-surface irrigation, by permit
only. How
should I fill my fish aquarium?
First, allow at least 1 gallon of water to run from the tap before
using the water to fill the aquarium. This will flush any copper or zinc from copper or galvanized
piping in your home; tropical fish are very sensitive to small amounts of
copper or zinc in their water. Saving
this water for other purposes, such as plant watering, is a good
conservation measure. With a
plate in one hand, pour water over the plate into the aquarium, allowing
the water to drop about 1 foot before hitting the plate.
This will add air (oxygen) to the water.
Let the water sit in the aquarium for an hour or two until it
reaches room temperature. Consult
your local pet store to learn how to test for and remove any disinfectant
in the water. Remove the
disinfectant from the water in the aquarium before adding the fish. How
should I water my lawn to avoid wasting water?
Water your lawn for extended periods, two or three days per week
rather than every day. This
allows for deep penetration of the water. Water early in the morning to avoid excessive evaporation.
Night watering may promote lawn disease.
Lawn watering can be reduced by planting low-water-demanding
plants, which provide an attractive landscape without high water use. What
are the causes of low water pressure, and should low water pressure
concern me? Temporary low pressure can be caused by heavy
water use in your area – lots of lawn watering, a water main break,
fighting a nearby fire, etc. Permanent
low pressure could be caused by the location of your home – on a hill or
far from the pumping plant – or your home may be served by pipes in the
street that are too small. Low
pressure is more than just a nuisance.
The water system depends on pressure to keep out any contamination.
If the pressure drops, the possibility of pollution entering the
drinking water increases. You
should report any permanent drop in water pressure PWP. Many
areas have minimum standards for pressure.
For example, 20 pounds per square inch (psi) when water use is at a
maximum is a common standard (car tires often use 30 to 32 psi of air).
Most systems have pressures three to four times the minimum.
You may be surprised to learn that you can have too much pressure.
Some homes need pressure regulators to avoid damaging household
plumbing from very high water pressures.
Why
can’t ocean water be treated to make drinking water? Ocean
water can be treated but building and operating a desalination plant and
transporting the water to Pasadena would be too expensive. The cost of
converting salt water to drinking water has been estimated at $5 to $7 per
1,000 gallons. Ocean water is
at least 99.2 percent salt and would take a substantial amount of energy
to convert it to drinking water. How
much water does it take to fill the Pasadena Rose Bowl?
The
Pasadena Rose Bowl will hold 164.5 million gallons of water. How
does PWP know that my water meter is accurate? PWP has
programs to routinely test water meters.
This is done on a rotating basis to make sure the meters are
accurate. Of course, if your
recorded water use changes suddenly for no obvious reason, report this to
PWP so it can be investigated. Note, additional people in the home, a
sprinkler leak and/or excessive lawn watering can make your water bill
higher. Where
does the toilet water go when flushed?
It goes into a sewer pipeline system that flows into the Los Angeles
County Sanitation district’s wastewater treatment plant where one of two
things will happen following treatment:
it will become recycled water for irrigation purposes or discharged
into the ocean. What
is being done to protect Pasadena’s water supply from current or future
contamination?
PWP conducts sanitary surveys of the Arroyo and Eaton Canyon
streams regularly. These
streams supplement our groundwater supplies.
Public Works has waste disposal programs so that customers can
remove hazardous materials appropriately. Who
should I call if I have a problem with my tap water? PWP
wants to know if you have a problem with your tap water.
For water emergencies, please call (626) 744-4138.
For all other non-emergency questions call (626) 744-6970. |
