Dirty mains water - effect on house

billygruff

Hi,

Does anyone know anything about mains water??

We are on a normal council mains water supply, for 2 weeks the mains water was seriously brown (not cloudy - more like water had soil heavily dissolved in it). The neighbouring houses had the same problem.
.
Anyway when the council finally came out they told us that we are on a 'branch water line' (they said most houses are apparently on a radial/loop line) and therefore they could not flush out the line...their high tech fix was to leave our outdoor tap running in the ditch for 3 days... this did seem to clear up the brown water but it is still slightly cloudy. The water man did a test and said there was enough free chlorine in the water to kill any bugs...this did not fill me with confidence about the water quality.
We are in a hard water area but have had a standard ion exchange water softener in place.
.
The fallout from this dirty water episode was:
- drinking (unsoftened) water filter in kitchen was screwed from dirty water.
- water softener was producing brown water for approx 30-60 seconds before turning clear.
- the (11 year old) water immersion was not heating the water as hot as it was (its lukewarm now), thought this is probably coincidence but not sure.
.
What I've done:
- Replaced drink water filter at kitchen sink,
- Drained cold water storage tank in attic and washed out (a lot of) brown residue at base of tank.
- Dismantled and rebuilt water softener controller in order to clean up seals,valves, injector, etc (did not replace resin), the controller measures the water flow and regenerates only when required.
- replaced immersion stat (tried increasing stat temp - water was hotter but volume of hot water is very low, possible airlock?)
.
What's happening now:
- Water softwner is still producing brown water for approx 30-60 secs after turning on first outlet after softener :mad:
- Immersion is still producing lukewarm water (will test element and use oil CH to see if tank heats fully or not i.e. check for airlock)
.
Questions for anyone who might know!!!!
- Are the council liable for damage to water filters / softeners from contaminated water? I'm not hopeful on this one .
- How can I get the water softener to produce clear water? if resin needs to be replaced how is that done??
- With water charges on the way I don't fancy having my hose running in a ditch for 3 days... how can I convince the council to put something in place to flush the line ??? don't expect any help on that one

Any help appreciated

heinbloed

As long as the water is within WHO guidelines the council has done it's job.

- With water charges on the way I don't fancy having my hose running in a ditch for 3 days... how can I convince the council to put something in place to flush the line ??? don't expect any help on that one

Shop somewhere else.

CJhaughey

You can fit one of the string type filters so the water has all the larger muck filtered off before it gets into the house.
This is what I did and it works fine, in the long run it saves mixer taps from crapping out as well.
The filter housing isn't expensive <50 and the filters are around 10-15 IIRC.
If you fit one just make sure it won't freeze up in cold weather as they can crack. Better to fit it inside if you can.

ronaneire

billygruff have you tired to do a back wash on the water softener?

Regarding the council being liable for the filter, the answer more probably will be no.

Some advice, if the water ever becomes the same, contaminated or discoloured don't use the filter under your sink until the water has ran clear.

kscobie

has your neighbours a similar problem?

billygruff

Thanks for the replies folks.

The only way I could shop around would be to dig a well, which is pretty expensive. There is only one mains supply.

CJ - where can I get one of the string type filters you mentioned? would one fit under a kitchen sink (i.e. where the water comes into the house)?

The neighbours had the same problem.

heinbloed

Rain water comes for very cheap is easily collected and stored.

For drinking water a smaller, much cheaper filter system can be used. Since the bulk volume (washing, gardening, flushing) needs no treatment. And isn't charged via the water meter.

kscobie

If your neighbours have the same problem, its obviously a common issue. Contact your local counciller and hound them!!!