Is there fluoride in my water?
Yes. A small amount occurs naturally. More is added to make 1 ppm (one part per
million). This is considered to be the ideal level by the
American Dental Association for dental health.
What's in my water? Is it safe to drink?
Redmond's drinking water meets or exceeds all federal, state and local health standards. It is tested daily throughout the city to
assure safety. But there is much more to good drinking water than simple H2O. As the universal solvent, water dissolves and takes on traces of
whatever it comes in contact with. Things like minerals. There is no such thing as pure water in nature, and if there were, it would not taste
very good.
Do I need a water filter in my home?
Generally, not for safety reasons. American municipal drinking water
is the safest in the world. Some people, however, object to the taste
chlorine may give to water. In that case, a well maintained, NSF
approved charcoal filter can help.
Why is chlorine in the water?
Chlorine is a disinfectant that acts as health insurance against the
possible occurrence of disease causing organisms called pathogens. If
this type of contaminate were present in the water, chlorine would kill
it. Chlorine dosages in Redmond drinking water are very low, usually
between 0.2ppm and 1.2ppm.
Where does my water come from?
Residents on the east side of the Sammamish River drink mostly well
water pumped from aquifers. Another name for this is ground water.
Residents on the west side of the river drink water from Seattle's Tolt
Reservoir, over 20 miles away in the Cascade Mountains east of Duvall.
Do I have hard or soft water?
People on the ground water system have medium hard water, about 90 mg/l
(milligrams per liter) as CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) or about 6 grains
per gallon. Hardness in water comes from minerals like calcium and
magnesium. Tolt water is very soft, about 15 mg/l as CaCO3 or 0.35
grains per gallon. Soft water is easy to make lather with soap. Hard
water is "harder" to make lather with.
Sometimes my water tastes good and other times it doesn't. Why?
Water is the universal solvent. When it sits in pipes over night or for
a few days it will warm to room temperature. The chlorine will have had
a long time to react to the insides of your pipes. The water will taste
musty, stale or like medicine. To improve your water quality, flush your
cold water tap until it starts to get colder, usually about 1 minute.
Now you have fresh cold water from the water main. If you don't, call
the Water Department. REMEMBER - never leave your garden hose hooked up under pressure,
if you do you'll soon taste garden hose at your kitchen tap.
How do I prevent my pipes from freezing?
Keep a trickle of water running from the faucets, wrap uninsulated pipes
with newspaper, heating wires, foam, or self-adhesive insulating tape,
and keep doors ajar between heated and unheated rooms.
How can I thaw frozen pipes?
Shut off the water at the main shutoff valve and open the faucet nearest
to the frozen pipe so it can drain as it thaws. Use one of the following methods to gradually warm the frozen pipe.
Be sure to work from the faucet toward the iced-up area.
Use the warm air from a hair dryer to gently defrost the pipe.
A heat lamp can be used for pipes behind walls, floors, or ceilings.
Beam a heat lamp 8 or more inches from the surface. Use caution!
If no other method is available, wrap the pipe in rags and pour hot
water on it.
Who is responsible for fixing leaks?
The City is responsible for leaks from the water main up to and
including the water meter. Any leaks from the meter to the home or
building are the owners responsibility.
How do I check for a leak?
- Make sure no water is being used inside or outside the house.
- Locate your water meter. It is usually found in the ground near the end
of your driveway between your house and your neighbor's house. If you
have any trouble locating or reading your meter, contact us and we will
assist.
- Check and record the current meter reading. Wait about 30 minutes, although
overnight is better. REMEMBER - do not use any water while you are waiting
- this includes toilet flushing and ice maker refills.
- Read the water meter again. If the reading has changed, then you have a
leak that requires immediate attention. There is also a sweeping hand or
triangle on many meters which moves when water is flowing though the meter. If
this hand/triangle is moving in only one direction when no one is using water,
it is a good indication there is a leak.
- Locate the home's main shutoff valve and shut of the water at that
valve (normally located in the basement or garage, directly behind an
outdoor faucet; or outside, below an outdoor faucet). Repeat steps 3
& 4. If the reading has changes, you have leak in the underground
water pipe between the meter and the house. If the reading is the same,
there is a leak inside the home.
How can I locate a leak?
The sound of running water helps. If you hear it, follow it to its
source. If water is staining the ceiling or dripping down, the leak is
probably directly above. Occasionally, water may travel along a joist
and then stain or drip at a point some distance from the leak. Any wall
stain is likely to be below the actual location of the leak and you'll
probable need to remove part of the wall to find it. Without the sound
of running water and without drips or stains as evidence, leaks are more
difficult to find. Using a flashlight, check all the pipes in the
basement or in the crawl space. Most outside leaks occur at connections.
One is at the meter and the other is near the point where the line
enters the home or building. Sometimes the line leaks between these
connections. Look for a wet or soft spot in you landscaping or near the
driveway.
Should I hire a plumber or do the work myself?
You can save a lot on the cost of a plumbing job if you do it yourself. But is it worth it? Clearly, changing a 15-cent faucet washer yourself
beats paying a plumber for a $75 service call. In other situations, the
choice may not be as clear. Before you tackle the large jobs yourself,
consider the following:
- Tools and equipment to complete the job.
- Building codes and permits.
- Your skills and experience.
- Cost of materials.
In some cases it is prudent to hire a plumber. Remember to get a few
estimates and select a plumber who is licensed and bonded.
How often is my meter read?
If you are a residential customer, your meter is read every 2 months.
If you are a commercial customer, your meter is read monthly.
