Water Quality and the Potable Water Distribution System
Are you concerned about drinking water contamination in the potable water distribution system? You might be right to be worried! Despite the dedicated efforts of our hardworking water treatment and distribution facilities, our drinking water travels through hundreds of miles of pipes between the plant and our homes and businesses. That means there are miles of opportunities for contamination to occur, including within your home’s own plumbing system. To help our friends and neighbors boost their water wisdom, we’re breaking down the two most common ways contamination can occur in drinking water after treatment. We will also share tips for treating your drinking water in your home.
Challenge One: Aging Water Distribution Infrastructure
Aging infrastructure or outdated plumbing materials are some of the most common causes of water contamination after a facility has treated the water and released it into the water supply. In cities like Pueblo and Colorado Springs, the pipes that distribute water throughout the city can be quite old. That means that they are vulnerable to damage and deterioration. It also means that they might be made of outdated materials.
In Pueblo, for example, certain neighborhoods may have lead service lines connecting the city water pipes that supply water to the house. In 2018, a few dozen homes in and around the history district were reported to have lead pipes.
A 2019 “Get the Lead Out” survey also examined the water supply of more than 500 homes around downtown and North Pueblo to check for lead lines.
Pueblo Water has a program that replaces lead supply lines free of charge. You can contact them via the numbers listed on the website.
Aging infrastructure has also caused issues in our sister city Colorado Springs. The city has 2,100 miles of pipe to bring water to residents. Five hundred miles of pipes are over 50 years old. It also means that many of those pipes are at risk of internal and external corrosion, as well as contamination. Colorado Springs has also launched a concerted effort to repair and replace aging pipes.
Challenge Two: Residential Water Contamination in the Water Distribution System
Water contamination can also occur within your home plumbing system. Lead pipes in old homes can cause contamination no matter what the water treatment plant does with your drinking water. Municipal water suppliers have no control over the type of plumbing you or previous homeowners have in your home. That means it’s up to you to test your water if you have old pipes or you have noticed issues with your water.
Old water pipes do not have to contain lead to be harmful, either. Some older pipe materials are prone to corrosion and leaks and the resulting contaminants can be harmful, too. Here are a few signs you may need to purify your home’s drinking water:
- Smell: If your water has a strange metallic or sulfur smell, you should contact your plumber for a water test.
- Color: Discoloration is one of the easiest ways to detect corrosion. Orange water signals rust, while other discoloration might signal a leak in your drinking water pipe.
- Taste: If your water has a distinct or unpleasant taste, your water distribution pipe is likely corroded.
- Particles in your water are also a key indicator.
- Clogs and buildup: If you find your shower head frequently clogs with buildup or that your water runs slow, you may have buildup within the pipe walls.
Well Water Contamination
When we discuss residential drinking water, it is also important that we discuss well contamination. Water treatment facilities do not treat or test well water. Homeowners who own private wells are vulnerable to ingesting potential contaminants. Because a personal well is not part of the drinking water distribution system, it is important that well users test their own drinking water regularly.
Ground water supplies the well. This means that it is more vulnerable to contamination than the urban domestic water supply system, particularly in areas rich in agriculture. Livestock waste and fertilizer runoff can contaminate your water supply. Additionally, well water is typically hard, adding another level of complication, such as calcification and build-up in your water service pipes.
Homeowners must test regularly as an important part of reducing risk. In short, treat your water like your own private version of the public water system: test and purify your source diligently
How to Tackle Drinking Water Treatment at Home
Homeowners should purify their water at home. You can filter your water at home using pitcher filters, point-of-use filters and whole-home water purification.
Pitcher filters: These simple filters can be purchased in any big box store. You fill the pitcher with drinking water and the water is filtered whenever it is poured. It is a more limited option. Users can only have a small amount of water at a time and many pitcher filters are not as strong as other options.
Point-of-use filters: Point-of-use filters are typically attached to the kitchen tap or the refrigerator water dispenser. Filters attached to the tap can also add an extra boost of filtration to the system built into the fridge. Reverse osmosis filters offer one of the most comprehensive filtration options, as they also filter PFCS – forever chemicals not typically tested for as part of water quality management.
Whole-home water purification: Whole-home filtration begins with the potable water pipe that is used to service your entire home. This option is excellent for homes in which the homeowner is confident about their internal piping, but not so confident about their water quality after it goes through miles of piping.
Call Flow Right for All of Your Water Purification Needs
Flow Right offers a variety of water purification services to help homeowners ensure their drinking water is safe and free of contaminants. We can also look over your existing plumbing to inform you of potential issues with lead, rust or other contaminants. Call us today to learn more about water testing and water purification options for your home or business.