Water Quality at Home

Flushing 

Flushing

Flush cold taps when household water hasn’t been used for several hours. Run cold water taps for two minutes before using water for drinking and cooking. When water sits in your pipes for long periods of time, water quality can decline.

Cold Water Use 

Cold Water Use

Do not use hot tap water for drinking and cooking. Hot water dissolves contaminants and may contain metals, sediment and bacteria that build up in the water heater. If you have household lead sources, hot water can cause lead to release in your drinking water.

Water Filters 

Water Filters

Routinely replace filter cartridges. Bacteria and metals can build up in filter cartridges. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for filter replacement.

Household Plumbing 

Household Plumbing

Replace old household plumbing and potential lead sources. Replace galvanized plumbing with copper pipes and install "lead-free" plumbing fixtures that contain 0.25 percent lead or less. After installation, flush cold water taps for five minutes once a day for three days.

Faucet Aerators 

Faucet Aerators

Routinely clean faucet aerators and replace them as needed. Sediment and metals can collect in the aerator screen located at the tip of your faucets.

Water Heaters 

Water Heaters

Drain your water heater annually. Sediment, bacteria and metals can build up in the water heater tank. This can impact household water quality and water pressure.

Flushing 

Flushing

Flush cold taps when household water hasn’t been used for several hours. Run cold water taps for two minutes before using water for drinking and cooking. When water sits in your pipes for long periods of time, water quality can decline.

Cold Water Use 

Cold Water Use

Do not use hot tap water for drinking and cooking. Hot water dissolves contaminants and may contain metals, sediment and bacteria that build up in the water heater. If you have household lead sources, hot water can cause lead to release in your drinking water.

Water Filters 

Water Filters

Routinely replace filter cartridges. Bacteria and metals can build up in filter cartridges. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for filter replacement.

Household Plumbing 

Household Plumbing

Replace old household plumbing and potential lead sources. Replace galvanized plumbing with copper pipes and install "lead-free" plumbing fixtures that contain 0.25 percent lead or less. After installation, flush cold water taps for five minutes once a day for three days.

Faucet Aerators 

Faucet Aerators

Routinely clean faucet aerators and replace them as needed. Sediment and metals can collect in the aerator screen located at the tip of your faucets.

Water Heaters 

Water Heaters

Drain your water heater annually. Sediment, bacteria and metals can build up in the water heater tank. This can impact household water quality and water pressure.