Our success is reflected in the results of more than 150,000 tests which are performed annually during and after the treatment process. The quantity of tests we conduct also far exceeds requirements.
If you have a water quality concern or emergency, please call 311 (or 704-336-7600).
Frequently Asked Questions
How Water Is Treated?
What are Water Quality Reports?
Why is there chlorine and fluoride in our water?
Can I remove the chlorine taste in my tap water?
Is our water hard or soft?
What causes my water to be discolored or gives it a brown tint?
How did I get pink stains on my fixtures and drains?
I detect an odd taste or odor. Is it in the water?
Why does my hot water smells like rotten eggs?
Why is a company asking to test my water?
My water has a yellow or red tint to it. What is it?
Why does my water look cloudy / milky?
Are bacteria in our drinking water?
Is lead found in our water?
Will flushing hydrants affect water service?
What is Charlotte-Mecklenburg doing to protect our water from threats?
What is Cryptosporidium?
Pharmaceuticals / Prescription Drugs and Water Questions
Why is there chlorine and fluoride in our water?
Chlorine is added to kill bacteria and prevent waterborne illness, and fluoride provides a defense against tooth decay. Both of these substances are added to water during the water treatment process.
Fluoride has been proven to promote oral health. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities has added fluoride to our water since 1949. Fluoride is added to Utilities tap water at a concentration of approximately 1 milligram per liter or 1 part per million, as recommended by the American Dental Association.
Can I remove the chlorine taste in my tap water?
Yes. Chlorine dissipates over time so fill a pitcher and place it in your refrigerator.
Is our water hard or soft?
Hardness is primarily a measurement of calcium and magnesium concentration. Water is considered hard if it measures more than 125 parts per million, or 7.5 grains per gallon of trace minerals. Our water has a hardness measure of 30 parts per million, or 1.8 grains per gallon, which is considered soft.
What causes my water to be discolored or give it a brown tint? back to top
While the clean water delivered to you is normally clear, occasional pressure changes or fire hydrant use can cause discoloration due to mineral sediments in water pipes. If you experience a problem with colored water coming from your tap, first run your cold water tap for five minutes. The color will most likely go away.
If the water is still discolored, call 311 or 704-336-7600.
If your HOT water is discolored, you may have a water heater problem. One way to determine whether the problem is in the hot or cold water is to see if the discoloration exists in your toilet bowl. If the toilet bowl water is not discolored, then the discoloration is likely in the hot water or your home's plumbing. This is a private plumbing problem and Utilities recommends that you contact a licensed plumber for advice.
Why are there pink stains on my fixtures and drains?
These pink stains are usually caused by airborne microorganisms which settle and grow where there is moisture. Pink stains are "most likely from the environment and not the water supply" (reference: Water Quality Investigator's Field Guide (2005) American Water Works Association.) it is extremely important to regularly clean these areas which should temporarily remove the stains.
I detect an odd taste or odor. Is it in the water?
Taste and odor changes in your water can occur for many reasons. They do not always indicate a change in the safety of your water. Water taste is affected by mineral content as well as the presence of chlorine. Sometimes a metallic flavor can be caused by your plumbing, especially if the water tap has not been turned on for several hours.
Newer homes with PVC (plastic) pipes may also experience temporarily altered taste or odor.
If you experience a problem with the taste or odor of your water, let the COLD water run for a few minutes to clear the lines, or fill a pitcher and allow it to sit for several hours. If the problem persists, please call 311 or 704-336-7600.
One of the main causes of taste/odor problems involves garden hoses being left attached to external faucets. This can allow tastes/odors from the garden hose to be noticed in the tap water you drink. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities recommends that garden hoses be disconnected when not in use. If you have a taste/odor problem, please detach your garden hose. If the taste/odor is still present 24 hours after you detached the garden hose from external faucets, please call 311 or 704-336-7600.
Water fountains sometimes have odors when the filters require changing. Contact the property or building maintenance staff. A good test is to take a cup of water and step away from the sink or fountain and smell the water. You will be able to notice if it is the fountain or the actual tap water.
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs? back to top
If you only notice an odor in hot water, your water heater may need to be checked by a plumber. Some water heaters have magnesium anodes to prevent corrosion that can cause an odor in tap water. Other odor sources may include food or a blockage in the garbage disposal or a drain.
Why is a company asking to test my water? back to top
Several private companies hang surveys and small sample bottles on residential doors with the offer to conduct water quality tests. These tests are not associated with Utilities or any other City or County Department. If you have any questions about, or issues with, your tap water quality, please contact 311 or 704-336-7600. You may also look at the Water Quality Report for more information.
My water has a yellow or red tint to it. What is it?
A yellowish tint is possible if the water is sitting in the pipe for a long time (i.e. winter or a long vacation). While the water is waiting to be used, it can collect dissolved iron sediment from older pipes. An increase in this mineral causes water to change color but doesn't affect the safety of the water. Run COLD water for several minutes to clear.
Over several years, minerals and sediment can build up inside water pipes. Reddish water can occur, for example, when a fire hydrant is quickly turned on and off. Run COLD water for several minutes to clear.
Every year Utilities invests millions of dollars to replace or reline pipes in the oldest parts of Mecklenburg County and in places where discoloration repeatedly occurs.
Why does my water look cloudy / milky?
Sometimes water appears cloudy or milky because air is trapped inside the water pipe, causing excess bubbles. You should let the water sit in a container, the bubbles will dissipate over time. If it continues, run your COLD water for several minutes.
Are there bacteria in our drinking water? back to top
The Utilities Department treats water with chlorine to kill any harmful bacteria.
Is lead found in our water?
Lead is NOT in the water supplied by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities.
The plumbing inside some older homes may contain lead which can cause lead to be present in tap water at those locations. Concentrations may be elevated particularly after the water is unused for an extended period of time. Allowing the faucet to run for a few minutes before using the water should reduce lead levels.
Will flushing hydrants affect water service? back to top
Sometimes crews run hydrants to maintain water quality or test the hydrants. While the hydrants are flushing you may see lower than usual water pressure, but it will be restored when flushing ends.
What is Charlotte-Mecklenburg doing to protect our water from threats?
Your water is safe to drink and all reasonable steps are in place to protect the public water system. Water quality control has been an everyday part of our mission long before 9/11/2001.
While security details aren't something we discuss publicly, they are a vital part of our operating procedure. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities continually enhances security measures and participates in emergency preparedness exercises with state and federal agencies. We will take all appropriate steps to ensure continued delivery of safe and sufficient drinking water.
What are Cryptosporidium and Giardia? back to top
Cryptosporidium and Giardia are microscopic parasites sometimes found in untreated surface waters. If ingested, either can cause gastrointestinal illness. Utilities tests for these parasites.
Pharmaceuticals / Prescription Drugs and Water
Pharmaceuticals are an emerging concern that the water industry has been researching for several years, but one that is not yet well understood. We know the human body often only absorbs small amounts of the various prescription and over the counter medicines and dietary supplements that are widely used.
The parts of these medications and supplements that are not absorbed naturally pass through the body and flow into wastewater treatment plants. While some of the pharmaceutical compounds may be removed or reduced by the wastewater treatment processes, at least some of them may pass through the plant and are discharged into streams, rivers, and groundwater (via septic systems) across the country. Those streams and rivers are used as water supply sources by other communities downstream. The drinking water treatment process may remove or reduce some pharmaceutical related contaminants, but not necessarily all of them.
The US EPA has not established standards to regulate the amount of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, at least in part because the effects of low dosages over time are not yet known. Neither the EPA nor state drinking water regulators have established requirements for testing drinking water for these types of contaminants.
There are very few laboratories in the country that are capable of analyzing water samples for a full spectrum of pharmaceutical compounds. Research supports that the concentrations found in those few samples that have been tested are very, very low - far below prescribed medical dosages.
Utilities runs more than 150,000 water quality tests per year for more than 100 substances in accordance with state and EPA regulations. We have not tested Charlotte's water supply for pharmaceuticals, but we support professional research in that area through our membership in the American Water Works Association Research Foundation and the Water Environment Research Foundation. If Charlotte were to test for pharmaceuticals, it is likely some types would be detected at very low concentrations, simply because they seem to be pervasive in the environment and because today's sophisticated laboratory processes can detect tiny quantities.
Charlotte will continue to follow the research and to work with N.C. drinking water regulators and health officials to be sure that our drinking water is safe for our customers. Customers who have questions about what is in their tap water are encouraged to visit the water quality report section of www.cmutilities.com or call the EPA safe drinking water hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Link to American Water Works Association detailed information
