Water restrictions may impact you outside of the home, too. For example:

At Cal Water’s state-of-the-art laboratory in San Jose, California, it’s the little things that count. Cal Water’s chemists and microbiologists conduct more than 300,000 separate water quality tests every year, looking for organic and inorganic compounds in the water in quantities as small as parts per trillion—that’s like looking for bad pennies in three football … Read more

Occasionally, trapped (or entrained) air will be noticeable in tap water. This is due to air dissolved into the water at its source, which can turn into bubbles after the water leaves your tap. These bubbles may make your water temporarily appear cloudy. Both the bubbles and cloudiness are harmless and will disappear when allowed … Read more

Spots are caused by hard water, or minerals that remain after the water has evaporated. Spots can be eliminated through use of a dishwasher rinse agent.

The hardness of water varies with the water’s source. The choice to buy a softener is an aesthetic one, since hard water is not harmful to health. However, water softeners typically increase the sodium content of the water, a factor that should be considered by people on low-sodium diets.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), home treatment units are rarely necessary for health reasons. Most often, water treatment units are used to remove substances that affect the aesthetic qualities of the water. If you do choose to install a home treatment unit, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, … Read more

Clean your coffee maker with vinegar and water as directed by the manufacturer.

Odor Issues The most common cause of odor in hot water is the water heater. If your cold water smells fine, check your water heater to confirm that the temperature setting is correct. Water heaters also need to be maintained (see manufacturer’s instructions). Please contact us if the odor persists or if it is present in both … Read more

Color in water is usually caused by naturally occurring organic matter, minerals, or mineral build-up in the pipes. At Cal Water, we flush our water system regularly to clean mineral build-up and other sediment from the pipes. If you receive discolored water, you should let your faucets run until the water is clear. Such substances … Read more

Tap water providers and bottled water providers must meet the same water quality standards. In fact, tap water providers are required to conduct more frequent water quality testing and reporting than bottled water providers. Some consumers prefer the taste of bottled water, and some choose bottled water because they have special health needs. But tap … Read more