LEAD

• There is important information regarding lead exposure on the EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/lead.
• The Municipal Authority of Washington Township cares about your health and has been acting for many years to help limit exposure to lead in drinking water. As a customer, there are some steps you can take to further help limit your exposure.
• Lead does not come from the treatment plant or water main; it comes from lead service lines running between the water main in the street and the home, and from plumbing inside the home. 
• If you have lead in the water pipe leading to your home or in your home plumbing, you should take precautions to protect your family and consider removing the sources of lead.
• You can reduce your risk of consuming lead in water by:
  • Flushing out the lines after a period of stagnation to get fresh water that is coming from the main.
  • Avoiding consuming water from the hot water tap, where lead is more likely to be present.
  • Purchasing a point-of-use treatment device certified to remove lead.
  • Using an alternative supply or bottled water until sources of exposure are removed.
  • If you test for lead in your tap water, have the sample analyzed by a certified laboratory.

UNDETECTED WATER LEAKS

A continuous leak from a hole just 1/16th” in size at 60 psi water pressure would result in approximately 74,000 gallons wasted in a 3 month period! 1/8th” size hole would waste 296,000 gallons,  3/16th” hole would waste 666,000 gallons, and a 1/4″ hole would waste 1,181,500 gallons of water in a 3 month period! It adds up fast and is very costly, especially if you are paying both water and sewer charges.  So please check for leaks periodically.

DISCOLORED WATER

Water quality is affected whenever there is a disturbance to the water distribution system.

CAUSES

Disturbances can be caused by various reasons such as water main breaks, authorized emergency use of a public fire hydrant, and electrical outages, to name a few. Iron build up is dislodged from inside the water lines creating the discoloration in the water. Time generally allows the system to settle and run clear. If you have any questions please contact our customer service department.

Flushing hydrants is a necessary step to assuring clear sparkling water to your home. It can cause a rust-look to the water for a short-time. The condition will clear-up—just let the cold water run for a short time. You will be notified by our telephone notification system when hydrants will be flushed in your area.  Please make sure we have your correct phone number on file.

CHECKING FOR LEAKS

The best method for determining whether a leak exists is to take actual meter readings.

LOCATE YOUR WATER METER
The meter may be in your basement or mechanical room where the water service enters the building. Meter pits are out near the street or curb. If you have any questions as to the location of your meter please contact our customer service department and a representative will answer any questions you may have.

LEAK DETECTION INDICATOR
First look on the face of the meter and observe the small red or black triangle. This triangle is considered a low flow or leak detection indicator. Check and see if the triangle is turning. If the triangle is turning and you have taken into account no water is being used including appliances such as an ice-maker, a humidifier, a water softener, etc., water is being used somewhere within your plumbing system.

READ THE METER TWICE
Read the meter first at night, after the day’s usage has ended and again in the morning before any water is used. Find the difference by subtracting the first reading from the second reading to calculate the consumption used overnight.

LOOK FOR LEAKS
The most common invisible leak is your toilet. Check for leaks by adding a small amount of food coloring in the tank. Wait for 15 minutes and see if the color appears in the bowl of your commode.

VERIFY REPAIRS
After making repairs, repeat the above mentioned procedures to verify that the leak has been repaired.