Water Services FAQ

Q. Why does my water taste different than it does back home?

A. By definition, absolutely pure water should be tasteless. Flavor comes from dissolved substances, whether they are naturally occurring, such as dissolved limestone, or introduced, such as chloramines for disinfection. Well water will taste differently from municipally treated water. Softened water will taste different from water with prominent mineral content. We strive to keep the water as close to its natural state as possible.

Q. Why does water pressure fluctuate?

A. Pressure decreases when demand increases. This happens when most of our part-time residents are here, or during holiday periods. It also occurs between midnight and 6 a.m., due to filling our storage and distribution tanks and routine flushing of lines.

Q. Sometimes I detect an odor…

A. This is likely to occur when water becomes stagnant, causing chlorine levels to drop to zero, or when the water sitting in the “trap” of the drains evaporates and allows gas to seep in from the drain lines. This happens mostly in homes of part-time occupation. Filters on faucet or shower heads may collect sediment and develop an odor, as can hot water heaters (which should be flushed 1 to 2 times annually).

Q. Should I treat my water?

A. There is no need to treat your water. That is what we do. But individual taste preferences vary, and filters are one way to alter taste. Filters need to be maintained to be effective and to eliminate odors (see above). Softeners strip the natural minerals and replace calcium and magnesium with sodium, presenting possible high sodium water. Water stripped of minerals becomes aggressive in trying to re-dissolve minerals and may affect skin and other areas. We maintain a healthy balance between hard and softened water to maximize aesthetic qualities and minimize undesirable side effects.

Q. What’s in the water…?

A. Older homes may experience deterioration of plumbing which can contribute to metallic taste or some discoloration. Seasoning of pipes in brand new homes may affect taste or clarity and that should improve over time. Discoloration of sinks, tubs, and shower heads may be from an airborne mold and not from water. Sediment may be from filters, heaters or deterioration of plumbing.