Show All Answers

1. Is dirty, yellow or brown water coming from the faucet?

If your water appears dirty or muddy, it may be due to construction or maintenance within Helix's distribution system. Sand or sediment in the water lines is most commonly caused by routine flushing of the distribution system through the fire hydrants. This is a routine preventive maintenance activity conducted regularly by Helix Water District.

Flushing the water system on a routine basis removes sediment from lines and keeps the entire distribution system refreshed. As a result of the flushing procedure, residents in the immediate vicinity of the work may experience temporary discoloration of their water. This discoloration consists primarily of harmless silt and precipitates and does not affect the safety of the water.

Crews post signs in the areas in which they are working to help make customers aware of the preventive maintenance activity. If you experience discoloration in your water after crews have been flushing in your neighborhood, clear the pipes in your own home by running all water faucets for a minute or two.

If a few minutes of internal flushing does not seem to improve the watercolor and both the hot and cold water is affected, please call us at 619-667-6248 during business hours or 619-466-3234 after hours. If just the hot water is affected, see our instructions on how to flush your hot water heater.

2. Are there floating, white, granular particles in your water?

Do the particles melt when heated? If yes, the problem is likely due to a failure of your hot water heater dip tube.

Please call us at 619-667-6248 or email us at Helix Water District.

3. Are there black particles in your water?

The most common cause of black particles in tap water is the disintegration of rubber materials used in plumbing fixtures. These particles float and often adhere to sinks and bathtubs and can appear sooty or greasy. Gaskets, hoses connected to water heaters and washing machines, rubber heat traps furnished with some newer water heaters, and o-rings can disintegrate over time and some pieces can collect in tubs, toilet tanks, faucets, and other locations. Flexible hoses (braided stainless) are often lined with black rubber. Homeowners should make sure they or their plumber's select hose, gasket, and water heater components that are compatible with the drinking water supply in southern California.

4. Is your water blue?

Water naturally has a blue hue or color. The degree of blue is dependent upon the water's physical and chemical characteristics. The amount of dissolved oxygen, for instance, can influence water's physical characteristics while copper compounds can affect water's chemical characteristics.

Generally, the more water you see, the greater the degree of perceived blue. A glass of water should appear clear while a bathtub full of water may appear turquoise blue. Excessively blue water, however, may indicate copper corrosion or a possible cross connection within the home's plumbing. If your water seems unusually blue, please call us at 619-667-6248 during business hours or 619-466-3234 after hours, or email Helix Water District.

5. Does your water appear white or "milky"?

Cloudy or milky (white) water is usually caused by an abundance of small air bubbles in the water. These harmless bubbles enter the water when air is drawn into Helix’s water distribution system. The air bubbles in a freshly filled glass of cold water will usually clear after a few minutes.

6. Are pink stains appearing near water sources?

Pink stains appearing on bathroom fixtures, drainboard surfaces, and pet dishes are usually from a bacteria, Serratia marcescens. This pink residue is less likely a problem associated with water quality than with naturally occurring, airborne bacteria. The bacteria produce a pinkish film (sometimes dark gray) and often appear during and after new construction or remodeling activities.

The dirt and dust stirred up by the work probably contain Serratia bacteria. Once airborne, the bacteria seek moist environments to proliferate. These airborne bacteria can come from any number of naturally occurring sources, and the condition can be aggravated if customers remove the chlorine from their water by way of an activated carbon filter.

The best solution to keep these surfaces free from bacterial film is continual cleaning. A cleanser containing chlorine is best, but use care with abrasives to avoid scratching fixtures, which will make them even more susceptible to bacteria. Keep bathtubs and sinks wiped down and dry. Add 3 to 5 tablespoons of chlorine bleach to toilet tanks as needed.

7. Does your water have a soapy appearance?

If your water appears soapy, please call us at 619-667-6248 during business hours or 619-466-3234 after hours, or email Helix District Water.