Water Quality Concerns
The Public Utilities Department strives to provide Athens-Clarke County with the highest quality of clean, safe drinking water. Every year, the Water Resources Center's laboratory conducts thousands of tests to ensure the water leaving the J.G. Beacham Drinking Water Treatment Plant complies with all state and federal drinking water guidelines.
Despite our best efforts, there are rare occasions when the water entering your home does not meet the utility's or your expectations. For example, routine fire hydrant flushing, a water main break, or the repair of a damaged fire hydrant can result in discolored water at the faucet. If the water entering your home does not meet your expectations, please see below for possible answers to many water issues. If you still experience water quality concerns, please alert the utility to the problem and allow us to correct the issue.
What should I do if I have...
Discolored WaterIf your water contains a brown, red, orange, or yellow tint, an increase in minerals or other sediments in the water pipes is typically the cause. Sediment in water pipes can be disturbed in several ways, including by the routine flushing of fire hydrants, a surge in water flow through the pipes, or repairs to a damaged hydrant or water line. The work may disturb sediment and result in discolored water for customers. What Should I Do? Discolored water is not harmful, though it does look unappealing and could have an unpleasant taste. Customers who experience discolored water should run cold water for up to 30 minutes to help remove it from their lines. Using the discolored water to wash clothes can result in staining and is not advised. Those who continue to experience discolored water after running cold water should contact the Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities Department at 706-613-3495. |
Cloudy WaterWater may become cloudy, milky, or white due to an excessive amount of trapped pressurized air in a home’s water pipes or main supply. When water comes out of the tap, the water is no longer under pressure. The air is seen as bubbles, giving the water a cloudy appearance. Cold water holds more air than warm water, so a customer may be more likely to experience cloudy water in the winter months. What Should I Do? If your water is white, milky, or cloudy, fill a glass with water and leave it to stand for a few minutes. If the cloudiness clears from the bottom of the glass upwards, this suggests the cause of the cloudy appearance is air. Cloudy water is harmless and can be used for drinking, bathing, and cleaning. If the water does not clear, contact the Public Utilities Department at (706)-613-3481. |
Chlorine SmellSodium hypochlorite, which is chlorine in its liquid form, is a common disinfectant added to the water distribution system to kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoans. The Public Utilities Department (PUD) maintains the chlorine in the distribution system from 0.2 to 2.5 mg/l. For comparison, household bleach is 50,000 mg/l chlorine. What Causes The Smell?The EPA requires a low level of chlorine, referred to as a residual, must remain in the water as it travels through the distribution system. A noticeable smell will be present if the residual exceeds 1mg/l, though some people can have greater sensitivity to the taste or smell. A chlorine smell may be present for several reasons. If water must travel a distance, additional chlorine may be necessary to maintain water safety along the pipeline. Warmer weather can cause the residual to dissipate more quickly and require the PUD to raise the chlorine level accordingly. The PUD keeps the chlorine levels as low as possible while maintaining water quality. |
What Should I Do?
While a chlorine smell is unpleasant, it is important to note exposure to levels below 4mg/l, or 4 parts per million (ppm), poses no risk to human health. To eliminate the odor, water customers can try several relatively easy methods.
- Time: Fill a pitcher and set it on the counter or in the refrigerator. Wait a few hours until the chlorine evaporates from the water. The passage of time will cause chlorinated water to lose its smell.
- Boil: If you would like to remove the odor faster, boil water for about twenty minutes. Wait until water cools, then use as needed.
- Carbon Filter: The most immediate solution is to use an activated carbon filter on either the faucet or pitcher. The filter resolves the odor problems.
Questions?
Cloudy water, taste, smell, or general drinking water quality questions:
Drinking Water Treatment Plant
(706)-613-3481
To report discolored water or questions:
Water & Sewer Division
(706)-613-3495
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
After-Hours/Weekends:
Drinking Water Treatment Plant
(706)-613-3481