Water treatment devices such as filters, reverse osmosis systems, etc., are intended to make water cleaner.

However, without proper care and maintenance, a water treatment device can actually do the opposite; it can degrade the quality of your water. Unmaintained treatment devices have been found to have created odor, taste, color and even bacteriological problems in household water systems.

Since the water provided by Helix Water District meets or is of higher quality than required by both state and federal standards, there is no need to purchase a treatment device out of health concerns. If you choose to install a treatment device for aesthetic reasons, such as objecting to the taste or odor of chloramines used to purify your water, please ensure that the device gets proper maintenance. It is critical that the filters are changed at least as often as the manufacturer recommends or every three to six months.

Sometimes, people don't even realize they have a treatment device. They may have moved into a home where the previous owner had installed a treatment device of which they were not aware. Treatment devices are normally installed under the kitchen sink, but could also be in a garage or utility room. Another often overlooked treatment device is a water filter on refrigerators with through-the-door water and ice features. Older refrigerators with this feature require pulling the refrigerator out from the wall to install a clean filter. If you are not able to perform this task yourself, call a qualified maintenance firm for assistance.

Water softeners also require periodic maintenance to keep them working properly. Over the years, Helix has received numerous water quality complaints for particles, discolored water, and odd taste that have been found to be caused by water softening units. If you have a water softener and experience a water quality problem with the softened water it is best to start your investigation by bypassing the device and then evaluating the water after you have let the tap run a few minutes (to flush out the softened water). If the problem persists with the untreated water, please contact us by calling (619) 667-6248 or emailing helix@helixwater.org. [after-hours emergency (619) 466-3234].