January 13, 2012
Lisa Reisen
Manager, External Affairs
Lisa.Reisen@amwater.com
563-468-9221
A Water Quality Message for Iowa American Water Customers Water Company offers explanation for "cloudy" waterDAVENPORT, IA (January 13, 2012) It's that time of the year when Iowa American Water experiences one of its most common customer inquiries, "Why does my tap water sometimes appear cloudy or milky looking?" Iowa American's water quality professionals are quick to explain that cloudy or milky-looking water is not a health concern. Tiny air bubbles in the water can create a cloudy or milky appearance as the water is drawn from the tap.
"Cloudy or milky-looking" water, caused by dissolved air
(oxygen), is not a health problem. The phenomenon of cloudy
water from the tap is similar to bubbles being released from
a carbonated beverage when the cap is removed and pressure
released," said Brent Earley, water quality supervisor for
Iowa American Water. He adds that Iowa American Water
provides its customers with water that is better than all
Iowa Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Act regulations. There
are no water quality regulations pertaining to dissolved
oxygen in water because it does not present a health risk to
people.
Dissolved oxygen in water is most evident during winter
months when the water temperature is the coldest. Cold water
dissolves more air out of the atmosphere than warm water.
During the winter months, the temperature of the Mississippi
River, Iowa American Water's source of supply in its Quad
Cities District, drops as low as 32.5 degrees. The water
temperature does not increase significantly as it passes
through the water treatment process, and the network of
underground water mains, known as the distribution system.
Since the water temperature remains cold as it travels from
the treatment plant to the customer, it remains saturated
with dissolved oxygen until it enters the customer's home
or
business.
When that cold water is drawn into the internal plumbing
system of a home or building, it warms up to room temperature
during extended periods of non-use or overnight. This warmer
water physically cannot hold as much dissolved air, but
because the water is under pressure within the plumbing
system's pipes, the excess dissolved air cannot escape until
the water flows from the faucet. The
result is cloudy water when the faucet is initially turned
on. Hot water from the water heater is typically cloudier
than cold water.
-more-
PRESS RELEASE www.amwater.com
"Customers can observe dissolved air (oxygen) escaping from a
glass of water by holding the cloudy water up to a bright
light or sunlit window and watching the water clear from the
bottom of the glass up as the tiny air bubbles rise to the
surface. The glass of water should clear in a minute or two,"
Earley added. If the cloudy/milky water does not clear up
within 1-2 minutes, please call Iowa American Water toll-free
at 1-866-641-2108.
Customers with questions or concerns about their water
quality should contact Iowa American's water quality experts
or visit the company's web site at www.iowaamwater.comfor general company information or a copy of the
company's latest water quality report.
About Iowa American Water
Iowa American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American
Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water
utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable
water services to approximately 200,000 people. Founded in
1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water
and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in
Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated
professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and
other related services to approximately 16 million people in
35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More
information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
###
PRESS RELEASE www.amwater.com
distribué par | Ce noodl a été diffusé par American Water Works Co. Inc. et initialement mise en ligne sur le site http://www.amwater.com. La version originale est disponible ici. Ce noodl a été distribué par noodls dans son format d'origine et sans modification sur 2012-01-14 00:02:45 AM et restera accessible depuis ce lien permanent. Cette annonce est protégée par les règles du droit d'auteur et toute autre loi applicable, et son propriétaire est seul responsable de sa véracité et de son originalité. |
Documents associés | |
A Water Quality Message for Iowa American Water Customers |