Is drinking water safe there?

[TootsieWootsie]

If you buy a water filtration system that attaches to your sink faucet, you should be fine with just that? Right? I am just not into drinking brown or toxic water.

[Charley]

Originally Posted by anniebleu

It's probably mostly iron, and we're warned that it can stain laundry, though we've not had that problem.

I have a report from United Water Delaware called the Consumer Confidence Report. Among other statistics it says that the "guideline" for iron in the water is 300 ppb which is parts per billion micrograms of water. The range of results was 1 - 190, so it was within the standard, but maybe those 190 areas might be where the brown water is found. (I'm just guessing at the analysis. There are no specific locations listed on the report).

The entire report suggests that all the water is above the standards for acceptable drinking water. But brown water would probably concern me a little and I'd probably look to have it filtered if it's an issue in my area. I'd assume that in a new community, the underground pipes in the community would be new - but the travel path of the water from the original source probably still has old pipes.

[anniebleu]

Yes, Charlie, as I said, the city has always reassured us about the safety of drinking even the brown water. We are not concerned in that respect, though we use a pitcher filter system during those periods. And, to repeat, we've had no problem doing laundry at those times either.

I handle the brown water a lot better than I do the chlorine, because we had more than 10 years of great tasting water, with no chemicals in it. I think I have a sensitive nose, and don't like that whiff of chlorine, though many people I've spoken with don't even notice it. Believe me when I say that I've experienced other parts of the country where the chlorine is far far far more noticeable.

TootsieW, the City of Dover sends out an annual report on the water. I read it and have found no cause for alarm. Even a Brita pitcher will take out the brown, at least in our part of Dover. I have heard that some areas (I don't remember where) have a more noticeable and persistent problem, but that has not been the case for us.

[Charley]

Originally Posted by anniebleu

Even a Brita pitcher will take out the brown, at least in our part of Dover.

That was my next question! Thanks so much.

Charley

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

That was my next question! Thanks so much.

Charley

You can also have a purifier installed on your faucet. That was one of the up grades in SM.

[rdlr]

Many communities have their own water source (look to the sky) and are responsible for maintaining quality standards. But the most popular water supply for communities in unincorporated areas is Tidewater Utilities. And then, there are still plenty of communities with each property having their own private well.

[ltdontcare]

In New Castle County all of the water companies "share" water. If one company is short on water, they buy it from one of the others. You could be drinking from surface to well water. It is all treated.