To serve you better, we've assembled a list of our customers' most frequently asked questions. If you don't find your answer here, feel free to contact us.
How could I have used this much water?
You may not have - the numbers on your meter may have been transposed or hard to read. You could possibly have a leaky toilet or faucet that's difficult to detect. You may have a leak outside of your house as well. A very small leak can accumulate a fairly large bill over a month. Just call the office and we'll work with you to solve the problem.
What do I do if I am experiencing low pressure?
Check your meter and the surrounding area for possible leaks. Next, call our office and report low pressure for your area.
Why is my water discolored?
A repair could have been completed recently allowing air to enter the line, causing the milky look. If the discoloration continues, please notify our office.
What chemicals does our utility district add to the water?
Water treatment requires the use of chemicals to produce safe, potable water. Jackson County Water uses only chemicals that are approved by the National Safety Foundation for treatment of drinking water at our treatment facility. The chemicals used are for adjusting the pH and hardness, as well as removal of undesirable minerals. The primary chemical used for disinfection is chlorine. Water is chlorinated according to applicable regulatory and health recommendations and requirements in order to insure the safety of the water as it travels through the distribution piping. Jackson Couny Water also fluoridates the water it produces in accordance with OEPA, CDC and ODH regulations and recommendations.
My water tastes, looks, and smells funny. Is it safe to drink?
All public water systems are required to maintain a minimum chlorine level of 0.2 mg/L (tested at the end of each line) by state law. Systems that use chloramine as a disinfectant must maintain a level of 0.5 mg/L by state law. Sometimes you may smell a faint chlorine odor in the water, but our disinfectant levels are tested daily to ensure safety.
If you notice any unusual or unpleasant odors in your water, please notify our office so that the problem can be investigated.
Why does debris come out of the faucet when running hot water?
The most common debris you may find coming out of your faucet is calcium or lime build-up in the piping in your home or in your water heater.
If that is the case, most likely your water heater needs to be flushed. the continual heating of water passing through your water heater can cause minerals to settle out, lining the bottom of the tank or covering your heating elements. Flushing your hot water tank is the best way to resolve this problem. CAUTION: Most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional to flush your water heater. If you plan on doing this yourself, read the owner's manual to keep from being hurt and or damaging the water heater. Adjusting the thermostat on your hot water heater to 110 degrees or less can slow down the accumulation of this sediment.
You may find debris caught in the screens of your sink aerators, which restricts the flow. This debris can be pipe shavings left over from construction or repairs in your home plumbing. It can also be fragments of gaskets, washers or o-rings from your fixtures. Routinely removing these aerators and rinsing them out can alleviate this problem.
Why do I have a previous balance when I know I sent in my payment?
We may have received your payment after the due date or we may not have received it at all. The payment and bill may have passed in the mail. Call our office and we will help find an answer.
Why do I have a white residue build-up on my faucets and shower heads?
The white build-up you refer to is most likely calcium. It is a chalky residue from your water. You may see it on your sink fixtures, in a humidifier or a coffee maker. It is not harmful. Calcium occurs naturally in the water from the Jackson County Water wellfield, as it does in most all ground waters in our part of the country. Calcium from underground limestone formations release some calcium into the water it comes in contact with. Jackson County Water treats our water in such a way as to remove most of the calcium. But some remains and as water evaporates, whatever is dissolved in it remains.
As we said, this is in no way harmful, but it can be a nuisance. The solution to removing this calcium is using either vinegar or a commercial lime remover. Running a vinegar/water solution through your coffee maker routinely can solve any problems you have with build-up in your appliance. Be sure; however, to check your owners manual or with the manufacturer before performing any cleaning procedures.
Feel free to call our office if you have any questions.
