What causes milky looking water?
A milky appearance occurs when air becomes trapped in the water. This harmless condition may be caused by household plumbing or a disturbance in the distribution pipe system such as repairs and upgrades to the system or significant changes in the amount of water being delivered. To verify that the milky color is due to air, fill a glass of water and let it sit for a few minutes. The tiny air bubbles will rise to the top and disappear, leaving a clear glass of water. What about fluoride?
To learn the fluoride levels in your neighborhood, e-mail or call us at 719-448-4800. What makes water hard or soft?
Levels of calcium and magnesium, which occur naturally in water, determine whether water is hard or soft. Hard waters require more soap than soft waters, and may cause scale to form in household plumbing fixtures. Fortunately, Colorado Springs' water is generally soft and customers do not need a softening device for household use. The hardness of Colorado Springs' water ranges from 28 to 240 milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or 1.6 to 14 grains per gallon of CaCO3. For more information, e-mail or call us at 719-448-4800 and ask for the water hardness level at your address. What causes rusty colored water?
Rusty water is generally caused by disturbances in the water distribution pipe system. This may occur during increased flow conditions, such as fire fighting, water main flushing or a water main break. The sediment you see is primarily iron. It is usually a temporary condition which clears up when the sediment settles. To clear it up, just run the cold water for a few minutes. Why add chlorine?
State and federal regulations require Colorado Springs Utilities to disinfect the water. We use chlorine to disinfectant the water, and its presence assures continuous safety against bacterial growth in the water distribution system. Chlorine can react with natural organic materials in the water to form substances that may cause cancer. Fortunately, our water supply contains very little of these natural organic materials. Colorado Springs' water, once treated and disinfected with chlorine, contains very low concentrations of these compounds ... especially compared to levels established safe by federal regulations. What are Cryptosporidium and Giardia?
Cryptosporidium and giardia are protozoan parasites that are common in surface water (reservoirs, lakes and streams) that can cause symptoms including diarrhea, nausea and/or stomach cramps. Cryptosporidium and giardia are removed during the water treatment process and disinfection. We periodically test the drinking water supply for cryptosporidium and giardia. They were not detected in the drinking water in 2001. Does Colorado Springs' water contain lead?
We carefully monitor our water to make sure it is safe and free of lead before it leaves our facilities and flows to your tap. However, lead can make its way into your drinking water if you have lead in your plumbing. Tests show that lead levels are low in Colorado Springs since lead solder has not been used in household plumbing since 1987. Furthermore, Colorado Springs water is relatively non-corrosive, which means the water is less likely to dissolve the lead solder and release lead contaminants into the water. If you suspect that your plumbing has lead solder, or if you would like information on how to have your water tested, e-mail or call the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at 303-692-2095 and ask for a list of drinking water certified contract laboratories. Should I use a home water treatment device?
A home treatment device is not necessary to ensure the safety of your drinking water. In fact, if not properly maintained, these devices may cause water quality problems. And you don't need a treatment device to minimize chlorine taste in your water; it's much easier and less expensive to simply chill your water in the refrigerator overnight. Is bottled water better?
In most situations, there is no increased safety benefit from drinking bottled water. Before spending a lot of money on bottled water, we recommend that you carefully read the label and, if necessary, request a "certificate of analysis" from the vendor to determine the quality. In many cases, your tap water will compare more favorably to regulations. What is MTBE and is it in our water?
MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) is used in gasoline to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone levels caused by auto emissions. Due to its widespread use, reports of detectable MTBE in the nation's ground and surface water supplies are increasing. In early 2000, we tested our drinking water and no MTBE was detected. For water quality or content information, check out our water quality report. Summary data for our drinking water sources is available by e-mailing or calling us at 719-448-4800. Additional water quality information and free pamphlets may be obtained by e-mailing or calling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. | 
