Frequently Asked Questions
Household Concerns
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Why does my water have a chlorine taste (or smell)?
We disinfect your water to ensure that it is free of harmful bacteria. To reduce any chlorine taste or smell, try refrigerating your water before drinking.
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Is bottled water higher quality than tap water?
Tap water providers and bottled water providers must meet the same water quality standards. In fact, tap water providers are required to conduct more frequent water quality testing and reporting than bottled water providers. Some consumers prefer the taste of bottled water, and some choose bottled water because they have special health needs. But tap water is a much better deal at costs of 1,000 times less than bottled water.
What causes some of water to be discolored?
Color in water is usually caused by naturally occurring organic matter, minerals, or mineral build-up in the pipes. We flush our water system regularly to clean mineral build-up and other sediment from the pipes. If you receive discolored water, you should let your faucets run until the water is clear. Such substances typically do not pose a health hazard; however, we ask that you please report any instances of discolored water so that we may investigate.
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What causes odor in the hot water?
The most common cause of odor in hot water is the water heater. If your cold water smells fine, check your water heater to ensure that the temperature setting is correct. Water heaters also need to be maintained (see manufacturer’s instructions). Please contact us if the odor persists or if it is present in both the hot and cold water.
Should I buy a home filtration unit?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, home treatment units are rarely necessary for health reasons. Most often, water treatment units are used to remove substances that affect the aesthetic qualities of the water. If you do choose to install a home treatment unit, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, because improperly maintained units can actually cause water quality problems.
What should I do if my coffee has an oily appearance?
Clean your coffee maker with vinegar and water as directed by the manufacturer.
Should I buy a water softener?
The hardness of water varies with the water’s source. The choice to buy a softener is an aesthetic one, since hard water is not harmful to health. However, water softeners typically increase the sodium content of the water, a factor that should be considered by people on low-sodium diets.
What causes the spots on my dishes?
Spots are caused by hard water, or minerals that remain after the water has evaporated. Spots can be eliminated through use of a dishwasher rinse agent.
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Water Quality
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Why does the taste of my water change throughout the year?
Water sources change at certain times of the year due to the availability of supplies. Surface water, or water that comes from sources like rivers and lakes, tends to taste slightly different than water pumped from underground aquifers.
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Why is there dirt or sand in my water?
Dirt or sand can occur naturally in groundwater or as a result of a water line repair. We try to reduce the instances of dirt or sand in the water through regular flushing, which improves water quality by increasing the circulation of water in the pipes and removing most of the sediment from the water.
Why does my water have a chlorine taste (or smell)?
We disinfect your water to ensure that it is free of harmful bacteria. To reduce any chlorine taste or smell, try refrigerating your water before drinking.
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Why does water need to be disinfected?
Disinfectants are required because they prevent the spread of germs that cause diseases. Years ago, before disinfectants were used for drinking water, diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery were common. Drinking water disinfection has vastly improved the quality and safety of drinking water.
Why do our employees open fire hydrants?
We conduct regular water system flushing to remove any mineral build-up and sediment from the pipes and also to ensure that water circulates adequately throughout the system. Fire hydrants may also be opened to conduct fire-flow capability tests.
Is bottled water higher quality than tap water?
Tap water providers and bottled water providers must meet the same water quality standards. In fact, tap water providers are required to conduct more frequent water quality testing and reporting than bottled water providers. Some consumers prefer the taste of bottled water, and some choose bottled water because they have special health needs. But tap water is a much better deal at costs of 1,000 times less than bottled water.
What causes some water to be discolored?
Color in water is usually caused by naturally occurring organic matter, minerals, or mineral build-up in the pipes. We flush our water system regularly to clean mineral build-up and other sediment from the pipes. If you receive discolored water, you should let your faucets run until the water is clear. Such substances typically do not pose a health hazard; however, we ask that you please report any instances of discolored water so that we may investigate.
What causes odor in the hot water?
The most common cause of odor in hot water is the water heater. If your cold water smells fine, check your water heater to ensure that the temperature setting is correct. Water heaters also need to be maintained (see manufacturer’s instructions). Please contact us if the odor persists or if it is present in both the hot and cold water.
Should I buy a home filtration unit?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, home treatment units are rarely necessary for health reasons. Most often, water treatment units are used to remove substances that affect the aesthetic qualities of the water. If you do choose to install a home treatment unit, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, because improperly maintained units can actually cause water quality problems.
Should I buy a water softener?
The hardness of water varies with the water’s source. The choice to buy a softener is an aesthetic one, since hard water is not harmful to health. However, water softeners typically increase the sodium content of the water, a factor that should be considered by people on low-sodium diets.
Why does my water appear milky or cloudy?
A milky or cloudy appearance is usually caused by air bubbles in the water, which pose no health risk. If the water is allowed to sit, the air will dissipate and the water will clear. If the cloudiness does not disappear, please contact us so that we may investigate.
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Bill Payments
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How do I update my email address or other personal information?
This information can be updated online via the My Account page. In the Account Settings section, click Edit Profile to edit your online profile. Also, please contact a customer service representative to confirm these changes in our office as well. Our contact information can be found on the Contact Us page.
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What do I do if I paid my bill with E-Check, but it still shows owing online?
Please contact a customer service representative. Our contact information can be found on the Contact Us page.
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Whom do I contact if I have questions about my e-Bill?
Please contact a customer service representative. Our contact information can be found on the Contact Us page.
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What if I’ve received a disconnection notice or have been disconnected?
Please contact a customer service representative. Our contact information can be found on the Contact Us page.
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Are checks accepted for payment?
Yes, we accept checks as payment. You can pay be E-check (1% Service Fee) or send a check in the mail or bring it by our office.
Are credit cards accepted for payment?
Yes, credit cards are accepted as payment. Simply choose this payment method when paying your bill online.
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Is e-Bill secure?
There are several methods used to ensure that your e-Bill account information is secure:
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Sign-in ID and Password: Your username and password are unique identifiers that only you know. As long as your username and password isn’t shared with anyone, no one can sign in as you.
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SSL: We use SSL (secure sockets layer), which ensures that your connection and information are secure from outside inspection.
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Encryption: We use 40-bit or 128-bit encryption (whichever your browser supports) to make your information unreadable as it passes over the Internet.
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How much does the Online Bill Payment Service cost?
Service fees differ depending on the payment method chosen. When viewing the bill you wish to pay, the fee amounts associated with each method of payment are displayed just below the bill details.
What is the Online Bill Payment Service?
Our Online Bill Payment Service allows you the convenience of paying your utility bill online without the hassle of envelopes, checks, and stamps. All payments are secure and encrypted for your protection.
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