Periodically, water coming out of the tap may seem cloudy or milky in appearance. This is not harmful and is usually caused by dissolved air that is found in our water sources and in our water distribution pipes.

The cloudy or milky appearance may be caused by two factors. First, water that is under pressure in the water pipes can contain more air than water that is not under pressure. Water in the pipes is pressurized, which helps to get the water all the way from the water tank to your home. Water under pressure holds more air than water that is not pressurized. Once the water comes out of your tap, the water is no longer under pressure and the air comes out of solution as oxygen bubbles — similar to a carbonated soft drink. This is not a health risk.  You can let the water sit in an open container until the bubbles naturally disappear. 

Secondly, the water in the distribution system is very cold and can contain more air than warm water. This usually happens during very cold weather because the solubility of air in water increases as water pressure increases and/or water temperature decreases. Cold water holds more air than warm water.

In the winter, water travels from the reservoir, which is very cold, and warms up during its travel to your tap. Some of the air that is present is no longer soluble, and comes out of solution. When the drinking water comes into your home the water warms up and when you release it from the faucet you are removing the pressure. The air in the water then forms small bubbles as the air leaves the water and it may look cloudy or milky. The bubbles will eventually rise to the top of the glass and the cloudiness will dissipate. If you fill a glass with water, the water should begin to clear from the bottom to the top. Eventually the entire glass will clear as air leaves the water.

The presence of cloudy water coming out of your tap usually lasts for a few days and will go away on its own. To help clear up your cloudy water, fill a pitcher of water and let it stand in the refrigerator overnight. But remember, it is safe to consume the water despite its cloudy appearance and waiting for it to clear is not necessary.

For more information, contact Centennial Water at 303-791-2185 ext. 3523.

The major source of drinking water for Highlands Ranch is surface water from the South Platte River. At certain times of the year or during drought conditions Centennial Water may choose to supplement the drinking water supply with groundwater sources (wells).

Below are typical concerns, their most common causes and what you can do about them. If you have any of these problems or if they don’t clear in the suggested time frame, contact Centennial Water at 303-791-2185.

Why does my water taste or smell different?

At times, generally the months of April through October, water can have an unusual taste, odor or appearance. Aesthetic characteristics generally do not pose a public health threat. There are ways to improve the aesthetics of the tap water delivered to your home. The first step in solving a taste, odor or appearance issue is to identify whether it originates from the household plumbing or the water utility.

Chlorine, chemical or medical tastes or odors
Usually caused by the addition of chlorine used as a disinfectant, to the water by your public water system, or the interaction of chlorine with a build-up of organic matter in your plumbing system. This is not a health threat. However, if you find the chlorine taste to be unpleasant, you can fill a container with water and chill it in the refrigerator before use.

Moldy, musty, earthy tastes or odors 
Commonly caused by seasonal occurrences when organic matter such as plants or algae, are more prevalent in lakes, reservoirs, and the canals that deliver water to water treatment facilities. These things are removed as the water is treated, but harmless residual odors will remain in the water (in much the same way the aroma of roses will remain in a room long after the roses have been removed). With current treatment technologies, the odor-causing compounds are difficult to remove. The detection of residual odors is dependent upon an individual’s sensitivity. Many people may never detect them, while others who are sensitive may detect the musty/moldy taste and smell at levels below instrument detection levels. To problem-solve this issue, put a small amount of water in a narrow glass, step away from the sink, swirl the water around inside the glass and smell it. If the water has no odor, then the likely problem is the sink drain. The drain can be cleaned by pouring bleach in the drain, allowing it to stand for a few minutes, then flushing with water.

Sulfur or rotten egg taste or odor
Commonly caused by bacteria growing in your sink drain or water heater. But, in some cases, this smell is caused by naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide. To problem-solve the cause, put a small amount of water in a narrow glass, step away from the sink, swirl the water around inside the glass and smell it. If the water has no odor, then the likely problem is bacteria in the sink drain. The drain can be cleaned by pouring bleach in the drain, allowing it to stand for a few minutes, then flushing with water.

If the water has an odor, the problem could be your water heater
This occurs if the hot water has been unused for a long time, the heater has been turned off for a while, or the thermostat is set too low. Contact a licensed plumber to remedy this problem.

Metallic taste
Usually due to minerals, such as iron or copper that can leach into water from pipes. Metals such as zinc and manganese are less common causes. Only a certified laboratory can analyze the water to determine if metals are present. Additionally, some medications prescribed by doctors can cause a patient’s taste and odor senses to be distorted to the point where water and other food and beverage items taste metallic. If you think medications may be the issue, check with your doctor of pharmacist, or if you believe it is the water, then have your water analyzed by a certified lab, or contact Centennial Water staff at 303-791-2185.

Different taste
At times when we are using groundwater sources, water from wells, residents may notice a different taste or odor that may be described as chemical tasting or metallic.

Our groundwater sources contain different levels of minerals. Sometimes, when we blend these sources with our treated surface water, our residents notice a difference in the taste of the drinking water.

Yes. Centennial Water delivers water that meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water regulations. All of our drinking water sources, both surface water and groundwater, are tested regularly for contaminants that could create a health risk to the public. We encourage you to take a look at the annual Water Quality Report to see how our water compares to the state and federal regulations.

The residue and buildup is from high concentrations of naturally occurring minerals, mostly calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water. This is known as hard water. Hard water can prevent the leaching of metals like lead and copper into the water by creating a buildup of scale inside of your pipes and plumbing. We have very hard water with an average hardness of 240-293 mg/L CaCO_3. 

The white spots on your dishes can easily be removed by adding a cup of vinegar to the bottom of your dishwasher with each load.

The buildup on your showerhead can be removed by soaking your showerhead in vinegar overnight. Using a cloth with vinegar and wiping down your shower head frequently can help to prevent future buildup. 

Water in the lines that is not used sufficiently can get stale and begin to taste unpleasant. In areas where water usage is low, flushing a hydrant is important to maintain good quality fresh water reaching homes. Flushing a hydrant ensures it is in proper operation for an emergency and it cleans out the water mains in the streets of any buildup and sediment.

Flushing your water heater should be performed at least once a year to remove sediment that accumulates on the bottom of the tank. This is especially important if you live in a hard water area. 

Sediment buildup reduces the heating efficiency of your water heater. It can cause your tank to leak or cause pressure to build up and release out the pressure release valve.

We recommend hiring a plumber to flush your water heater.

Brown or rusty colored water is commonly associated with your water heater. It is typically caused by the inside of your water heater tank starting to rust. Water heaters usually have a lifespan of 8-10 years before they require replacing. 

In areas like Highlands Ranch with hard water, the life of your hot water heater can be even shorter. These issues occurring only only with your hot water and not your cold water indicates the problem is with your water heater.

Small fish egg like beads in your water is due to a problem with your water softener. The resin beads are bypassing the screens in the water softener and getting into your water. This will require a call to a professional water softener company for maintenance, repair or replacement of your unit.

Black particles in water are caused by rubber gaskets breaking down in your plumbing and water systems within your house. Rubber gets old and brittle over time and can begin to break down.

The best way to address this is to identify any areas in your plumbing with rubber gaskets and replace them as necessary based on their condition.

The major source of drinking water for Highlands Ranch and Solstice is the South Platte River. This water source has levels of naturally occurring calcium and magnesium, minerals present in hard water. The amount of minerals in water determines how soft or hard your water is. Centennial Water’s water levels usually range between 11 to 13 grains per gallon (188 – 222 milligrams per liter).

The range of water hardness can be described as:

• Soft water = 0 – 4 grains per gallon
• Moderately hard water = 4 – 9 grains per gallon
• Hard water = 9 – 18 grains per gallon
• Very hard water = greater than 18 grains per gallon

Hard water can be identified by the presence of scale, or mineral buildup, in hot-water pipes, heaters, boilers and other units in which the water temperature is increased materially. Another indicator of hard water is when you have to use more soap to create suds or a lather.

Water supplied by Centennial Water is safe to drink. It meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water regulations. Centennial Water does not remove water hardness during its water treatment process because water hardness is not a health hazard.

Centennial Water has chloride limits on treated wastewater discharged into the South Platte River. One of the major sources of chloride in our residential wastewater is from water softener tank recharges that are discharged into the sewer system. Currently, our discharge meets the chloride limits imposed by the state. If higher levels of chloride are received at our treatment plant, we may need to reduce or restrict chloride discharges in the future.

If you have further questions, please contact the Centennial Water & Sanitation District water quality laboratory at 303-791-2185, extension 3523.