science The Glass Test

Often, a "rotten egg" or sulfur smell is caused by bacteria in the sink's drain pipe, not the water itself. When water runs, it pushes the odor gas up from the drain.

• Fill a clean glass with water from the tap.
• Walk into a different room away from the sink.
• Smell the water in the glass.

If the water has no smell in the other room: The issue is your drain. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let sit for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.

If the water still smells in the glass: Proceed to the next step to flush your service line.

hourglass_bottom The Settling Test

Milky or cloudy water is almost always caused by harmless trapped air. Changes in temperature or pressure in the main create micro-bubbles that make the water look white.

• Fill a clear glass with water.
• Place it on the counter and watch it for 2 minutes.

If it clears from the bottom upward: It is just trapped air. It is entirely safe to drink and will resolve naturally as temperatures stabilize.

If it does not clear, or has physical particles: Proceed to the next step to flush your service line.

water_heater The Isolation Test

Before we flush the system, we need to verify where the color is coming from. SCWA only supplies cold water to your property.

• Turn on only the hot water. Is it discolored?
• Turn off the hot, and turn on only the cold water. Is it discolored?

If only the hot water is discolored: The issue is inside your water heater (often sediment buildup). You will need to contact a plumber to flush your water heater tank.

If the cold water is discolored: Proceed to the next step to flush your service line.

Did flushing resolve the issue?

Turn off the faucet and check a glass of cold water.

Excellent!

Your service line has been cleared. SCWA performs routine flushing of water mains, and occasionally natural sediment can enter a service line. Running your cold water flushes it safely out.