Water Quality Concerns
At BPUB, we are committed to ensuring the highest quality of water for our customers. We respond to hundreds of customer water quality concerns each year. Many issues can be resolved over the phone, while others may require a detailed investigation, including on-site visits or testing by our state-of-the-art Analytical Laboratory.
Our team of Water Quality Specialists strives to respond to customer concerns promptly, typically within a few hours of being contacted during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). For urgent issues or emergencies, customers may report water quality issues online.
Below is a guide to some common water quality concerns, potential causes, and recommended solutions. If your specific issue is not listed or persists after trying the suggested solutions, BPUB’s Analytical Laboratory may perform specialized tests to identify and resolve the problem.
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudy/Milky Colored Water | 1. Customers lines only. 2. Neighborhood (distribution lines) Air Saturated water |
Aerator may need to be cleaned or replaced. Flush lines for short time only. Call BPUB at 956-983-6100 or report water quality issues online. |
| Black Floating Particles | Bad internal supply line (often it is the braided stainless steel lines). Due to deterioration of toilet the flapper valve. |
Change supply line. Replace Flapper valve. |
| Black Particles | Internal activated in line charcoal filter. | By-pass filter and call service company. |
| White Floating Particles | Deteriorating hot water heater dip tube. | Call water heater manufacture. |
| Brown particles that are uniform in size | Resin from water softener. | Put softener on by-pass. Have water softener repaired and flush all lines in home to clear particles. |
| Rust | When the water is shut off for a period of time and as the water sits in the galvanized internal pipes in the home rust particles my flake away from the pipe. | Flush internal lines Call BPUB at 956-983-6100 or report water quality issues online. |
| White or Light colored sediment | Hard Water (calcium carbonate will precipitate when heated or frozen). | Flush hot water heater regularly, 2-3 times a year to remove loose calcium carbonate. |
| Sand | Water Main break Calcium build up in hot water heater. Water softener malfunction. |
Call BPUB at 956-983-6100 or report water quality issues online. Flush hot water heater. |
| Low Pressure | Water main construction or repair work Water line break at residence. Debris behind the aerator. |
Call BPUB at 956-983-6100 or report water quality issues online. Look for possible water leak. Clean aerator. |
| Taste | Internal plumbing work | Flush internal water lines. |
| Odor | Odor coming from sink drain | Call BPUB at 956-983-6100 or report water quality issues online. |