Strange Water Issue (Lincoln: water heater, moving to, park)

[emathias]

Originally Posted by MikeC82

This is all interesting. Also, thanks for the link, soulful. I visited the site and after plugging in zip codes found that Chicago's water supply has 21 total pollutants recorded, 14 of which exceed health guidelines.

I wasn't sure if that was normal, but when compared to the national average (8 total pollutants, 4 excessive), cities I've lived in before like DC (4 and 3) and Detroit (3 and 2), as well as other major cities like New York (12 and 7), San Francisco (8 and 6), and St. Louis (8 and 5), this seems like a lot. I'm no scientist, but perhaps it's the water supply causing my problems after all...thoughts?

Chicago also tests for more things than most cities do, so if you're going to compare make sure you use standardized data that includes the same tests for each area.

Chicago's water is moderately hard, which can cause some people issues.

What kind of filters are you using? Do you have problems if you shield your face and wash in the sink?

[aragx6]

I had problems with the water in Chicago (outside of it just tasting like ass, which it also certainly did). If I were in the shower for more than 10 minutes I would start to sniffle, sneeze, my eyes would itch like crazy and I would finally be almost unable to breathe. I've had similar problems in other cities, but never to the same degree as in Chicago. I have no idea whether this was from the old pipes in my building or the supply in general.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by aragx6

I had problems with the water in Chicago (outside of it just tasting like ass, which it also certainly did). If I were in the shower for more than 10 minutes I would start to sniffle, sneeze, my eyes would itch like crazy and I would finally be almost unable to breathe. I've had similar problems in other cities, but never to the same degree as in Chicago. I have no idea whether this was from the old pipes in my building or the supply in general.

Bite your tongue! I drink tap water from my kitchen sink quite a bit; it's delicious!

[myrc60]

Originally Posted by aragx6

I had problems with the water in Chicago (outside of it just tasting like ass, which it also certainly did). If I were in the shower for more than 10 minutes I would start to sniffle, sneeze, my eyes would itch like crazy and I would finally be almost unable to breathe. I've had similar problems in other cities, but never to the same degree as in Chicago. I have no idea whether this was from the old pipes in my building or the supply in general.

We never had any problem drinking Chicago water from the tap. In fact it was an adjustment when we moved to SC to get used to the water down here.

OP I would ask because I don't remember seeing...have you changed your soap in anyway? Sometimes when we move we can't get the same exact items we are used to. I lived in 3 different places around the city and suburbs, 2 were single family residences, and never experienced what you are. It could be the water or the pipes that deliver the water to your apartment. If you plan to stay in Chicago maybe you can test the water before you rent a place or maybe "borrow" a friends supply but if its the water itself, it isn't going to make a difference where you live.

[MikeC82]

Drinking isn't the problem - I drink the water all the time. It's the showering that causes the skin issue.

Soaps are all the same, etc. If others have noticed a similar effect on their skin/health in Chicago as compared to other places, perhaps that gives me the answer. The only way I may know for sure is if I move to a new apartment over the summer...

[Jesse69]

Maybe you should call the Chicago Water Dept to test your water.

[oddstray]

Ask your doctor whether you might have rosacea. It's a skin condition sometimes called "adult acne" (that's only one of the symptoms). It's easily treatable.

[Chicago60614]

Never heard of anything like that. I've never noticed any issues, I actually like Chicago's water. The dead of winter is great because you get that ice cold drinking water coming out of the taps. A huge change from Florida where a lot of the time the "cold" water comes out quite warm.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

Never heard of anything like that. I've never noticed any issues, I actually like Chicago's water. The dead of winter is great because you get that ice cold drinking water coming out of the taps. A huge change from Florida where a lot of the time the "cold" water comes out quite warm.

This is a crazy phenomenon for lifelong Chicagoans. My ex-wife is from New Orleans, and taking a shower there in August is strange...all you need to do is turn the cold water knob and...voila! warm water throughout the whole shower.

I was just thinking about this other other day as I was brushing my teeth. When I cupped my hands under the faucet to rinse my mouth out, my fingers were so cold it hurt. Good times.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

This is a crazy phenomenon for lifelong Chicagoans. My ex-wife is from New Orleans, and taking a shower there in August is strange...all you need to do is turn the cold water knob and...voila! warm water throughout the whole shower.

I was just thinking about this other other day as I was brushing my teeth. When I cupped my hands under the faucet to rinse my mouth out, my fingers were so cold it hurt. Good times.

Very true. In summer I just turn on the cold water to rinse my mouth out or wash my hands, but in winter in instinctively turn it to halfway between hot and cold. Good for drinking water, but can be damn cold if you have sensitive teeth!