Water Appearance

Identify if the problem is occurring in cold and/or hot water.

• If rusty water only appears in cold water, flush cold water internally until water clears. If problem persists, contact the City of Aurora Water Production Division, 630-256-3250

• If rusty water only appears in hot water, it may be from rusty cold water that filled the water heater while using hot water simultaneously when cold supply was discolored. Or, accumulated rust sediment in the water heater is coming through but cold water is clear. In either case, it may be necessary to drain and/or flush water heater if problem continues.

The likely cause of stained laundry due to rusty water is fire hydrant usage in the nearby area from firefighting, water main flushing or hydrant flushing, whereby increased flow scours rust/iron deposits in the water main, discoloring the water.

If you experience this situation, keep laundry wet and rewash with a rust remover laundry supplement. You may also contact the City of Aurora Water Production Division,630-256-3250, to request a similar product.

If rusty water occurs at your residence, perform internal flushing of cold water and avoid use of the hot water until the cold water is running clear.

Common types of stains that may be attributed to water quality include blue-green (copper), rust (iron), and black (manganese). Normally, City of Aurora tap water will not cause staining resulting from copper or manganese. 

Rust

Rust staining is usually caused by iron from internal plumbing that is older or heavily corroded. Iron deposits found in water heaters may also contribute to staining. Normally, City of Aurora tap water will not cause iron staining.

Microbiological Growth

Pink or black stains in shower areas or toilets are usually caused by microbiological growth and should be controlled by proper cleaning.

Taste and odor problems that may typically be detected by consumers are related to seasonal events, localized degraded water quality, chlorine taste and odor, or internal problems. Determine if the problem is noticed in cold water, hot water, or both. Also figure out which faucets are affected. A problem that is detected in multiple faucets, both cold and hot, is likely an external problem, i.e. originating in the water entering the residence. Conversely, issues that can be internal to the residence include ice cube odors and hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg) odor originating from the hot water system.

Seasonal T & O Events

Likely descriptions are that the water smells earthy, musty, river-like, grassy, or other "natural" descriptors.

• These types of odors are caused by seasonal changes of water quality in the Fox River due to the presence of naturally occurring compounds that impart different odors to the water. This affects the aesthetic quality of the water only. The water is completely safe for human consumption. The water treatment process is continually adjusted to minimize T & O effects to the drinking water supply.

• Storing tap water in a closed glass container in the refrigerator will help improve the taste and odor of the water.

Localized Degraded Water Quality

May result from low flow/usage in the area or high water age where the chlorine residual has greatly dissipated. This is likely to be the cause when T & O complaints have not been reported in other areas. Localized flushing will be scheduled to move fresh water into the affected area, which will improve the aesthetic water quality.

Internal Odor Issues

Rotten egg odor: Occasionally a customer will experience a rotten egg odor in the hot water. Sulfur-reducing bacteria can create hydrogen sulfide, causing the odor. This usually indicated a problem with the water heater; consult a plumber for assistance.

Ice cube odors and cubes causing unpleasant taste in water: Ice cubes can take on odors from the freezer/freezer contents. Also, harmless bacteria can grow in the ice-maker water line and cause odors. "Freezer smell" and "off flavors" are not harmful and can be lessened by cleaning and defrosting the freezer and ice cube trays.

Sewage-like odor:This type of odor usually emanates from the drain of the water fixture. Household plumbing systems sometimes give off odors due to biological growths, dry P-traps, etc. This can be verified by performing the following steps:

1. Run the cold water for 30 seconds.

2. Run water into a clean glass. 

3. Smell the poured water while standing away from the sink drain. 

The water should not have any unusual or sewage-like odor. Pouring some household bleach into the drain will help neutralize odor-causing material. If odor persists, consult a plumber.

The effects of water hardness are generally internal to the residence; examples are mineral deposits in the faucet aerator or in drawn samples from the tap, spotting of glassware, or scale build-up in various locations.

Hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium remain dissolved in cold water, but become insoluble or show up as a solid material when water is heated, precipitating in the hot water system.

The following actions can assist in minimizing or alleviating water hardness issues: drain and flush water heater regularly; do not overheat water, maintain hot water temperature between 125 and 130 degrees; replace water heater if it is older; consider the use of a water softener.