Water Quality Concerns Guide

What You're Seeing

Water appears white, cloudy, or milky when first drawn from the tap, but clears from the bottom up when left to sit in a glass.

Possible Causes

1. Air in the water lines - Most common cause, especially after water main work or pressure changes
2. Temperature changes - Cold water warms up, releasing dissolved air
3. Customer service lines only - Issue isolated to your property
4. Neighborhood distribution lines - Broader area affected by air-saturated water

Solutions

• Fill a clear glass and let it sit for a minute - if it clears from bottom to top, it's harmless air bubbles
• Clean or replace aerator on faucets (small screen at faucet tip may trap sediment)
• Run cold water for a few minutes to flush lines
• If the issue persists beyond a day, call BPUB at (956) 983-6100

Is It Harmful?

No. Air bubbles in water are completely harmless and do not affect water safety or quality.

What You're Seeing

Water has a yellow, brown, or rust-colored tint.

Possible Causes

1. Manganese - Naturally occurring mineral in groundwater that causes yellow tint
2. Sediment disturbance - Water main work, hydrant flushing, or fire department use
3. Rust from internal plumbing - Galvanized pipes in older homes
4. System maintenance - Planned or emergency repairs disturbing sediment in mains

Solutions

• Run cold water from an outside faucet or tub for 3-5 minutes to flush your service line
• Avoid laundry until water runs clear (may stain fabrics)
• Check multiple faucets to determine if it's isolated to hot or cold water
• Report persistent discoloration to BPUB immediately

When to Report

• Discoloration lasts more than 30 minutes after flushing
• Only hot water is discolored (indicates water heater issue)
• Multiple neighbors experiencing same issue

See our Yellow Water Information Page for more details.

What You're Seeing

Black specks, flakes, or particles in water or clogging aerators.

Possible Causes

1. Deteriorating braided stainless steel supply lines - Common in homes built or remodeled 1990-2010
2. Toilet flapper valve deterioration - Rubber breaking down in tank
3. Activated charcoal from inline filter - Filter breakdown or bypass failure

Solutions

• Inspect supply lines under sinks - look for braided stainless steel hoses showing wear
• Replace deteriorating supply lines with solid copper or modern flexible lines
• Check toilet tanks - replace flapper valve if showing signs of deterioration
• Bypass or replace water filters - if you have an inline filter, try bypassing it
• Clean aerators frequently until source is identified and replaced

Is It Harmful?

Generally not harmful, but indicates deteriorating plumbing components that should be replaced.

What You're Seeing

White flakes, particles, or sediment in water, often in hot water.

Possible Causes

1. Deteriorating water heater dip tube - Plastic tube inside tank breaking down
2. Calcium carbonate (hard water scale) - Natural mineral precipitation when water is heated
3. Water softener resin - Small beads from malfunctioning water softener

Solutions

• Hot water only: Contact water heater manufacturer about dip tube replacement
• Flush hot water heater 2-3 times per year to remove loose calcium carbonate buildup
• Water softener issue: Put softener on bypass, have it serviced, then flush all lines
• Check if issue is cold or hot water to help identify source

Preventive Maintenance

• Drain and flush water heater annually
• Service water softener according to manufacturer recommendations
• Consider installing sediment filter if hard water scale is persistent

What You're Seeing

Sand-like particles or gritty sediment in water.

Possible Causes

1. Water main break or repair - Sediment stirred up during system work
2. Calcium buildup in hot water heater - Accumulated scale breaking loose
3. Water softener malfunction - Resin or media escaping softener tank

Solutions

• Water main issue: Call BPUB immediately at (956) 983-6100 or report online
• Hot water only: Flush hot water heater to remove accumulated sediment
• Water softener: Have system inspected and serviced by qualified technician
• Flush all faucets after BPUB system work is completed

When It's an Emergency

• Large amounts of sediment appearing suddenly
• Sediment accompanied by low pressure or no water
• Multiple neighbors experiencing the same issue

What You're Seeing/Smelling

Water tastes or smells like chlorine or a swimming pool.

Why This Occurs

• Chlorine is required by law - TCEQ requires water systems to maintain chlorine residual for disinfection
• Seasonal variation - Chlorine levels may be higher during summer months or after heavy rain
• Distance from treatment plant - Homes closer to plants may notice stronger chlorine
• Low water usage - Water sitting in pipes longer allows chlorine to become more noticeable

Is It Safe?

Yes. The presence of chlorine indicates your water is properly disinfected and safe to drink. BPUB maintains chlorine at levels proven safe by EPA and TCEQ.

Ways to Reduce Chlorine Taste

• Refrigerate water in an open pitcher - chlorine will dissipate naturally
• Use a water filter - NSF-certified pitcher or faucet filter designed to reduce chlorine
• Run water briefly before filling drinking containers
• Add lemon slice to cold water for improved taste

What You're Smelling

Strong sulfur or "rotten egg" odor from water or drains.

Possible Causes

1. Drain odor - Bacteria in sink drain, not the water supply (most common)
2. Water heater bacteria - Anaerobic bacteria in water heater tank
3. Internal plumbing - Rarely, issues with home plumbing

Solutions

• Check if odor is from drain - Run water into a glass away from sink and smell it
• If drain odor: Clean drain with baking soda and vinegar, or commercial drain cleaner
• If hot water only: Increase water heater temperature to 140°F temporarily (24 hours) to kill bacteria, then return to normal setting
• Flush water heater to remove sediment where bacteria can grow
• If cold water smells: Call BPUB immediately at (956) 983-6100

Important Note

BPUB's treated water should NOT have a sulfur odor. If cold water from multiple taps smells like sulfur, contact us immediately for investigation.

What You're Experiencing

Weak water flow from faucets, showerheads, or appliances.

Possible Causes

1. Clogged aerator - Sediment trapped in faucet screen (most common)
2. Water main work - Construction or repair in your area
3. Water line break - Leak at your property or in the street
4. Pressure regulator failure - Malfunctioning PRV on your property
5. Closed or partially closed valve - Main shutoff or meter valve not fully open

Solutions

• Clean faucet aerators - Unscrew aerator, clean screen, and reinstall
• Check if all fixtures affected - If only one fixture, it's likely that fixture
• Look for visible leaks - Check around your property for wet spots or running water
• Verify water meter valve is fully open
• Call BPUB at (956) 983-6100 if issue affects all fixtures or multiple homes

When to Call BPUB

• Multiple fixtures affected
• Sudden pressure drop without explanation
• Neighbors also experiencing low pressure
• Pressure drop accompanied by discolored water

What You're Tasting

Water has a metallic, iron-like taste.

Possible Causes

1. Recent internal plumbing work - New copper pipes releasing metallic taste
2. Low pH (acidic water) - Can leach metals from plumbing
3. Galvanized pipe corrosion - Zinc coating deteriorating
4. High iron or manganese - Naturally occurring minerals

Solutions

• After plumbing work: Flush internal water lines for several minutes daily for a few days
• Run water briefly before using for drinking or cooking
• Have water tested if metallic taste persists - contact BPUB or private lab
• Consider pipe replacement if you have old galvanized pipes

Health Concerns

Small amounts of metals like iron, copper, and zinc are not harmful and are even nutritionally necessary. However, persistent metallic taste should be investigated.

What You're Seeing

Rust-colored particles in water or orange stains on fixtures and laundry.

Possible Causes

1. Galvanized internal pipes - Rust flakes from aging home plumbing
2. Water heater corrosion - Tank deteriorating
3. Water sitting in pipes - Rust forms when water is stagnant for extended periods

Solutions

• Flush internal lines - Run cold water for several minutes, especially after water has been off
• After water shutoff: When water service is restored, flush all cold water lines
• Inspect water heater - Check age and condition, consider replacement if over 10-12 years old
• Call BPUB at (956) 983-6100 if rust appears in cold water from multiple locations

Preventive Measures

• Replace old galvanized pipes with copper or PEX
• Flush pipes after extended vacancy periods
• Maintain water heater with annual flushing

What You're Experiencing

Strange taste or odor after new plumbing installation or repairs.

Possible Causes

• New pipe solvent/glue - PVC primer and cement
• Flux residue - From soldering copper pipes
• Pipe material taste - New pipes releasing compounds temporarily

Solutions

• Flush all affected lines thoroughly - Run water for 10-15 minutes from each affected fixture
• Repeat flushing daily until taste/odor disappears
• Allow time - Usually resolves within a few days to a week
• Ensure proper ventilation - Open windows during flushing

When to Be Concerned

If taste persists beyond 2 weeks, contact the plumber who performed the work and BPUB for guidance.