Generally speaking, the tap water in the Hamilton and Niagara regions is clean and safe to drink. Sometimes, however, we get calls from concerned homeowners that their water looks, smells or tastes a little… off.

So, in this blog, we are going to address some of the most common tap water concerns, their causes, and what you should do if you encounter them.

Your Tap Water is Cloudy

Have you ever poured yourself a glass of water out of the tap only to notice that it looks milky in appearance? There are a number of reasons why tap water might appear cloudy. The most common reason for this is that there is too much air in the water. You may notice that after you have set your glass down for a couple of minutes, the water is clear again.

If you find this happening with all the faucets in your house, it most likely has to do with the pressure used by the municipality. If water from only one faucet is causing cloudy water, there is likely a problem with the fixture itself. Or, if you notice, this only happens with hot water, there could be an issue with your hot water heater, which should be inspected by a professional plumber.

Although cloudy water is usually not dangerous, it can be unsightly. If you are concerned about cloudy water, two possible solutions include getting a water filtration system or a water softener. The experts at Wentworth Plumbing can explain the benefits of each and help you make the decision that makes the most sense for you.

Rusty Tap Water

Going to brush your teeth in the morning and seeing rusty coloured water come out of the faucet can be a shock to the system – especially if you don’t know why it is happening. When your tap water turns a colour like yellow or rusty brown, it is usually because of the minerals and sediments that have built up in the water. The most common minerals found in tap water that are likely to discolour it are iron and manganese.

If the water turns colour suddenly, the most common cause is a break in one of the city’s water mains or fire hydrants which allows sediment to be released into the water supply. If this is the case, you should call your water utility company.

If the water turns colour more slowly over time, or only occurs with either hot or cold water, it could be an indication that rust or sediment has built up in your hot water tank or that there is a problem with one particular pipe. In this circumstance, contact the team at Wentworth Plumbing to diagnose the problem.

Water Smells like Sulphur

If your tap water smells like sulphur or rotten eggs, the most likely reason is that it contains traces of hydrogen sulfide. And while this is not dangerous, it can be an extremely unpleasant problem to have. It might take a bit of detective work to determine where it is coming from. If it only happens with hot water, the cause is likely to be the hot water heater. If it is only from certain areas of the home, a particular pipe could be the problem. If it is everywhere with both hot and cold water, the source may be the outside plumbing or even ground or well water.

To correct the problem, you will most likely need a professional plumber as it may require a cleaning out of the pipes or hot water heater, or the installation of water filters.

Water Tastes like Plastic

Most plumbing pipes used today are made out of plastic because this is more affordable than copper and other materials that have been used in the past. Unfortunately, over time these can break down, and leachates from the pipes can get into the water.

If you notice your tap water is tasting like plastic, you may want to call a plumber to inspect the pipes. A water filtration system can also help with this problem.

Contact Wentworth Plumbing today.

If you have concerns about these or any other problems with your tap water, the Hamilton Plumbers at Wentworth Plumbing would be happy to help. Call us today.