Solvent-like odors are more often than not associated with work activities around the home. Recent work on irrigation systems can lead to PVC glue type smells.

These odors can be fed back into the home as internal water use draws small amounts of water out of that system and into the interior plumbing. Solvent odors due to irrigation work are generally short-lived and can be removed by flushing water through the home's faucets.

Additionally, solvents being introduced into a water meter box or into the soil around a PVC (plastic) service line can create noticeable odors. This results from solvents penetrating the plastic and thereby entering the water. The intentional discharge of paints, solvents or any other chemicals into the meter box is illegal and a finable offense. Please contact HWD immediately if you observe anyone doing so. The only means to rectify such a problem is to replace any piping and contaminated soil in the immediate area. The soil is then considered hazardous waste and is very costly to dispose of properly.

If you are experiencing problems of this sort that cannot be easily explained, please contact us by calling (619) 667-6248 or emailing helix@helixwater.org. [after-hours emergency (619) 466-3234].