Tap Water Alert in Scottsdale/Paradise Valley (house, rent)

[azjack]

"Residents in Paradise Valley and parts of Scottsdale were told Wednesday not to drink their tap water.
A water treatment plant for Arizona American Water malfunctioned Tuesday possibly sending elevated levels of TCE or trichloroethylene into the water supply, said Arizona American Water spokesman Todd Walker."

Tap-water ban hits parts of P.V., Scottsdale

[cptndavis]

The water in the Scottsdale/PV area is some of the worst in the country. When I run the tap in my bathroom the smell of Chlorine is overwhelming, almost as if I was next to a swimming pool. I am installing a whole-house water filtration system that will dramatically increase water quality and safety. I recomend others do the same.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by cptndavis

The water in the Scottsdale/PV area is some of the worst in the country. When I run the tap in my bathroom the smell of Chlorine is overwhelming, almost as if I was next to a swimming pool. I am installing a whole-house water filtration system that will dramatically increase water quality and safety. I recomend others do the same.

I'm amazed at the variety of different flavors and smells that come from the tap. One day it tastes like swamp water, the next day it tastes like salt, then chlorine. I'm not sure where my water comes from but it is naaaaaaaasty.

I just use a filtered pitcher, but sometimes I get lazy and put a glass up to the tap, at least when the tap water is cold, like now.

[cptndavis]

You should try a shower filter. I got one for $35. It's made by a company called Aquasana and it's done a great job of eliminating the chemicals in the water. The chlorine smell is gone and my wife says her skin feels less dry after bathing. I'm going to put in the whole house system in the next few weeks.

As for drinking the water, I would never let my kids drink from the tap out here. As you said.....NAAAAAAAAASTY!

[nitram]

Water company says it will be safe to use after 5pm on Friday evening. My question is, what about the existing water that's been in the supply pipes to the house, and the water in the house plumbing that's been sitting there since they announced to not use the water? Are they going to flush out the system, or have everyone turn on their plumbing and flush out the chemicals?
Just by saying it's OK to turn on the taps and use the water seems redundant, if that's the proper word. If the water was no good the past 3-4 days, why would it all of a sudden be good now without cleaning out the whole system?

[MaxPower123]

Originally Posted by cptndavis

The water in the Scottsdale/PV area is some of the worst in the country.

Interesting, do you have a link?

[cptndavis]

Unfortunately not. I read an article in a newspaper a few months back about communties whose water consistently tested high for chemicals and metal. Scottsdale was way up there. This explains why they have to use so much Chlorine. I've lived all over the US and I've never had a stronger Chlorine smell from my taps as I do out here.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by cptndavis

The water in the Scottsdale/PV area is some of the worst in the country. When I run the tap in my bathroom the smell of Chlorine is overwhelming, almost as if I was next to a swimming pool. I am installing a whole-house water filtration system that will dramatically increase water quality and safety. I recomend others do the same.

Your water quality issue is not the same as the current problem however

[Ponderosa]

Ain't going to happen, but it would be nice to see all these small private water companies in the urban area replaced with either large companies or city owned/managed utilities. These little guys are difficult to regulate and oversee and are a perennial source of water quality violations and service problems.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Ain't going to happen, but it would be nice to see all these small private water companies in the urban area replaced with either large companies or city owned/managed utilities. These little guys are difficult to regulate and oversee and are a perennial source of water quality violations and service problems.

The cost to the city / municipality would be prohibitive