1. I have discolored water in my house. Is it safe and why is it discolored?

Yes, the water is safe. The substance you see is manganese, which is a natural precipitant of treated water and normally adheres to the sides and bottom of the water main. When the pressure and/or flow of the water changes, the manganese can scour off the walls of the main water line and get into your home or business. Manganese is a natural mineral and is not harmful. Discolored water happens when a water main is bumped or moved, as in construction, or when there is a change in the pressure and/or flow within the pipe, such as what happens when a fire hydrant is opened, a valve is operated or a main is broken.

2. What can I do about the discolored water?

Discolored water can be caused by many factors, i.e., construction in the area, lightning strikes, operation of a fire hydrant, natural ground movement, and adding additional pumping capacity to the water system. Because most of these factors cannot be anticipated or controlled by the Benton Water Department, it is necessary to address the situation after it has happened.

Determine if the discoloration is in your hot water or your cold water. If only your hot water is affected the problem most likely is in your hot water heater and you will have to address it as a maintenance issue.

If your cold water is affected, use as little hot water as possible to keep the discoloration out of your hot water tank.

If your water is just slightly discolored (the color of a brown paper bag or lighter), open all and only your cold water taps and let them run 5-6 minutes.

Flush your toilets 2-3 times.

If the initial cold water flush does not clear up the problem, wait about an hour and repeat flushing. This amount of water should not affect your water bill.

If the problem persists, DO NOT hesitate to call the Benton Utilities Water Dept., and we will send someone out.

Do not wash laundry in discolored water, it will discolor light clothes. If your water becomes discolored during a laundry in cycle, keep the laundry damp until the water clears. Rewash the clothes, DO NOT USE CHLORINE BEACH.

3. What can I do about milky or cloudy water?

Sometimes when a repair is made to a water main, or a homeowner's water service, air can become trapped in the lines. Because the lines are under pressure, the trapped air becomes suspended in the water. The result is water that is saturated with air, and looks milky when put into a clear glass. In some cases the Water Dept. staff will purge the air out of the line through a fire hydrant, but in most cases it clears up on its own. To clear this up, you can generally let your faucet run for five minutes or so, and it will run clear. This is not enough water to affect your water usage on your bill.

4. Why is my water pressure low?

Most often low pressure is a problem with the private plumbing and not something Benton Water can remedy. Things like galvanized piping, faulty pressure regulators, and stopped up faucet screens can cause low pressure. At the customer's request Benton Water will perform a pressure and flow test at the meter to confirm there is adequate water to and through the meter. A comparison test will be done at an outside faucet if one is accessible at the front of the house. A note will be left reporting the results. The customer need not be home at the time of the test.

5. The water pressure in my house is too high. Can the water company turn down the pressure at my house?

To ensure that water pressure is sufficient to all our customers, it is necessary for Benton Water to maintain a higher pressure in the water mains than is recommended for your plumbing. Refer to the Arkansas Department of Health Plumbing Codes (Arkansas Plumbing Law) for approved ways to regulate the water pressure after it leaves the water meter. The water meter does not regulate the pressure in any way.

6. I need to find my house line and my pressure regulator, Can Benton Utilities Water Dept. locate them for me?

Benton Utilities Water Dept. does not have any records on how your plumbing lines are run, where your shutoff valve is or where your pressure regulator might be.

7. If the leak is across the street or the neighbor across the street ordered a new meter, why are you digging in my yard?

Water is delivered to your neighborhood by a water main system. Generally a street will have only one main running down it. To get the water to the customers on the opposite side of the street the main will need to be accessed and a SERVICE run underground from one side of the street to the other. The main is probably on your side of the street and we have to dig in your yard to tap into the main for the service line.

8. Will Benton Utilities Water Facilities leaks cause my bill to be high?

Leaks on mains, services on the street side of the meter, valves, and fire hydrants will not affect your bill. Some meter leaks on the outlet side of the meter can have an effect on your consumption and if that is the case the Water Dept. will notify Customer Service for an adjustment.

9. What is Benton Utilities Water Dept.’s area of responsibility?

Benton Utilities Water Dept. maintains the public mains, valves, fire hydrants, services to the meters, valve boxes, meter boxes and water meters in our system. Any leaks at the connection and beyond on the customers side of the meter is considered the customer’s responsibility.

10. My water meter is hard to turn off and on. Can you fix it so I can turn it off and on easily?

The valve on the water meter is for use by Benton Utilities Water Dept. personnel. If we inspect the meter and find the shutoff valve operates to our satisfaction, it will be left as is. The Arkansas Health Department Plumbing Code requires the customer to have a shutoff valve outside the meter box that will shut off the water to the entire structure in case of an emergency. It is a good idea to locate your shutoff valve, be sure it is in good operating condition and mark it so it is easily operated in case of an emergency.

11. You tore up my yard working on the water lines. What are you going to do about it?

When it is necessary to excavate on your property the Benton Utilities Water Dept. will make every effort to return the site to the condition we found it. Depending on the time of year this can take several weeks if sod and plant material is not available at the time of the initial excavation or the area is too wet for equipment at the time.

12. There was nothing wrong with my water meter. Why did you suddenly come out and change it?

Meters, like other equipment, age with time. We change out meters to ensure accurate use of the meter.

13. I am going to landscape my yard and change the grade. How do I get the meter box and/or valve box adjusted to the new grade?

As soon as the new grade is established call 776-5930, and they will send someone to adjust the boxes. Be sure to give a few days’ notice because it is not always possible to respond to such requests immediately.

14. There are colored markings all over my yard and in the street. What's going on?

Arkansas state law requires anyone making an excavation to notify owners of underground utilities of their intent to dig in a specific location. The white lines are the area of the intended excavation and the colored lines are the location of underground utilities. You may want to visit the Arkansas One Call Home Page for more details.

15. There was a main break and my water was off. Do I need to boil my water now?

It is not always necessary to issue a Boil Order every time the water is turned off. There are several factors that are considered before a Boil Order is issued. If it is determined a "Boil Order' is required you will be notified either by a door hanger, signs posted in the affected area, or on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/bentonutilities. Additionally the media will be notified for broadcast.

16. I have questions about doing my own plumbing or I want to check out what my plumber is telling me. Can Benton Utilities Water Dept. answer my plumbing questions?

Benton Utilities Water Dept. personnel are not plumbers and are not qualified to answer plumbing questions. You may find it helpful to visit the Arkansas Department of Health site and browse the "Plumbing Law" section, Division of Protective Health Codes Services Page.

17. Why did you turn off the water in my neighborhood without telling us?

Keeping our customers informed is a priority with Benton Utilities Water Dept. If the Water Dept. has a planned project that requires the water to be off, every effort will be made to notify our customers prior to the shutdown.

However, many times there are spontaneous breaks or breaks caused by contractors hitting the water lines. In those emergency situations we will respond as rapidly as possible to get the water shut off, make repairs and get the water back on. Even in an emergency we will make every effort to keep our customers informed.

18. I have water that tastes and smells odd, is it safe to drink?

Yes. The taste and odor is a palatability issue. There are no health hazards created regardless of the taste and odor.

19. What causes the taste and odor changes?

A natural occurrence in all surface water supplies, an “algal bloom”, is responsible for the taste and odor changes in the water supply. Algal blooms usually occur in late July and into August each year.

20. What are the conditions for an algal bloom to occur in the water supply?

Nutrients must be present – such as nitrogen, phosphorous and calcium, which are derived from decaying vegetation.

Turbidity has lessened – the turbidity or cloudiness of the water has cleared up, allowing the penetration of the sunlight. This occurs due to lack of rainfall.

Temperature increase – the optimum temperature range of the lake water for an algal bloom to occur is between 80 - 85. This is provided through many hot summer days.

When all conditions are met, photosynthesis will take place and the algae will grow or proliferate. Algal species, such as anabaena, secrete an “oily” substance from their cells that causes an odor in the water supply. Aquatic fungi, actinomycetes, grow on dead and decaying algae and cause an earthy taste in the water.

21. What steps are being taken to control the taste and odor?

The Benton Utilities Water Purification Plant utilizes several steps to control the taste and odor produced by the algal blooms. Laboratory personnel, through daily analysis, perform algal counts and can determine the onset of an algal bloom. With the onset of an algal bloom, additional chemicals are added to the treatment process. A copper sulfate solution is added to reduce the algae count which will reduce the odor levels. To reduce the unpleasant taste, activated carbon is used as an absorption media. Each of these chemicals is removed during the treatment process prior to delivery of the potable water supply. Chlorine, which is used as the disinfectant in the treatment process, also aids in odor reduction.

22. What is that pink stuff in my bathroom where I have been running water?

By Nelson Yarlott.

Q. I am the manager of a small system in the Midwest. We have a customer who is experiencing an unusual problem. She has a pinkish substance on her bathroom fixtures that is very persistent, appearing in the shower, sink and along the water line of her toilet bowl. The problem seems to be unique to her home, as we have had no similar complaints from any other customers. We have tested the water at her tap and just before her service connection and have found nothing unusual that we think could cause this. Can you help?

A. This question seems to peek its head on a fairly regular basis. Utilities from all over the United States have experienced similar problems and contacted the Small Systems Helpline and the AWWA Technical (www.awwa.org/resources-tools) for advice on how to deal with it. The bottom line? Pink residue is less likely a problem associated with water quality than with naturally occurring airborne bacteria. The bacteria produces a pinkish film, and sometimes a dark gray film on surfaces that are regularly moist, including toilet bowls, showerheads, sink drains and tiles. The problem also more commonly occurs in humid regions of the country.

To determine the exact species of bacteria would require lengthy and costly laboratory testing, and for those reasons most homeowners are reluctant to have the tests performed. Although the exact species of bacteria is not known, most experts have concluded that this pink staining is most likely from the bacteria Serratia marcescens. These bacteria thrive on moisture, dust and phosphates and are widely distributed having been found naturally in soil, food and also in animals. The conditions for the survival of Serratia marcescens are minimal, and the bacteria may even feed upon itself in the absence of other nutrients.

Members of the Serratia genus were once known as harmless organisms that produced a characteristic red pigment. Because of this, scientists and teachers frequently used it in experiments to track other microbes. More recently, Serratia marcescens has been found to be pathogenic to some people, having been identified as a cause of urinary tract infections, wound infections, and pneumonia, and is no longer recommended for use in school experiments.

Many times, the pinkish film appears during and after new construction or remodeling activities. The dirt and dust stirred up from the work probably contains Serratia bacteria. Once airborne, the bacteria seek moist environments to proliferate. Some people have even noted the pink residue in their pet’s water bowl, which causes no apparent harm and can be easily cleaned off. Others have indicated that their experience with this nuisance occurs during a time of year that their windows are open for the majority of the day. These airborne bacteria can come from any number of naturally occurring sources, and the condition can be further aggravated if customers remove the chlorine from their water by way of an activated carbon filter.

What to do - Short of buying pink fixtures, the best solution to keep these surfaces free from the bacterial film is continual cleaning. A chlorinous compound is best, but use care with abrasives to avoid scratching the fixtures, which will make them even more susceptible to bacteria. Chlorine bleach can be periodically stirred into the toilet tank and flushed into the bowl itself. As the tank refills, more bleach can be added. Three to five tablespoons of fresh bleach should be all that is necessary. A toilet cake that contains a disinfectant can keep a residual in the water at all times. The porous walls of a toilet tank can harbor many opportunistic organisms.

Cleaning and flushing with chlorine will not necessarily eliminate the problem, but will help to control these bacteria. Keep bathtubs and sinks wiped down and dry to avoid this problem. Using a cleaning solution that contains chlorine will help curtail the onset of the bacteria.

While all water utilities are concerned about the quality of the product they are supplying to their customers, they cannot guarantee water quality once it leave the pressurized distribution system and enters the customer’s plumbing. Homeowners’ individual components and the cleanliness of their environment are not part of the utility’s responsibility to provide a safe and aesthetically pleasing product.

23. I have discolored water in my house. Is it safe and why is it discolored?

Yes, the water is safe. The substance you see is manganese, which is a natural precipitant of treated water and normally adheres to the sides and bottom of the water main. When the pressure and/or flow of the water changes the manganese can scour off the walls of the main and get into your home or business. Manganese is a natural mineral and is not harmful. Discolored water happens when a water main is bumped or moved, as in construction, or there is a change in the pressure and/or flow within the pipe, such as what happens when a fire hydrant is opened, a valve is operated or a main is broken.

24. What can I do about milky or cloudy water?

Sometimes when a repair is made to a water main, or a homeowner's water service, air can become trapped in the lines. Because the lines are under pressure, the trapped air becomes suspended in the water. The result is water that is saturated with air, and looks milky when put into a clear glass. In some cases the Water Department staff will purge the air out of the line through a fire hydrant, but in most cases it clears up on its own.

To clear this up, you can generally let your faucet run for five minutes or so, and it will run clear. This is not enough water to affect your water usage on your bill.

25. What can I do about the discolored water?

Discolored water can be caused by many factors, i.e., construction in the area, lightening strikes, operation of a fire hydrant, natural ground movement, and adding additional pumping capacity to the water system. Because most of these factors cannot be anticipated or controlled by Benton Water, it is necessary to address the situation after it has happened.

Determine if the discoloration is in your hot water or your cold water. If only your hot water is affected the problem most likely is in your hot water heater and you will have to address it as a maintenance issue.

If your cold water is affected, use as little hot water as possible to keep the discoloration out of your hot water tank.

If your water is just slightly discolored the color of a brown paper bag or lighter, open all and only your cold water taps and let them run 5-6 minutes.

Flush your toilets 2-3 times.

If the initial cold water flush does not clear up the problem, wait about an hour and repeat flushing. This amount of water should not affect your water bill. If the problem persists, DO NOT hesitate to call Benton Water, and we will send someone out.

Do not wash laundry in discolored water, it will discolor light clothes. If your water becomes discolored during a laundry in cycle, keep the laundry damp until the water clears. Rewash the clothes, DO NOT USE CHLORINE BEACH.

26. Does my water contain Fluoride?

Yes, we fluoridate the water at an approx. one (1) part per million gallons, and this is the suggested dosage recommended by the Arkansas Department of Health.

27. Benton Utilities Water Dept. Personnel did an investigation and said the problem appears to be on my lines. Will you tell me who to call and what they need to do to fix the problem?

Because Benton Utilities Water Dept. employees are not plumbers, we do not specifically identify plumbing problems or answer specific plumbing questions. To get the problem repaired the Arkansas Plumbing Code allows a property owner to make repairs on his own plumbing lines. If you are not the property owner and/or do not feel you can make repairs, we recommend you check the Yellow Pages for a licensed plumber for advice and assistance.

28. What happens when you make a trouble call to the Water Dept.?

Your call will be received by someone at Benton Utilities Water Dept. during normal business hours or at Answerfone after hours. We have crews on call 24 hours a day to ensure customers receive quick and quality service.

The person you talk to will make an effort to answer your questions and concerns immediately. If it is determined that an onsite investigation is necessary, the appropriate personnel will be dispatched. The problem will be prioritized and dispatched to the pipe fitter responsible.

The employee will conduct an onsite investigation of the problem. If the problem is one that Benton Water will repair the employee will determine if emergency, high priority or routine repairs are needed. Emergency orders will prompt the immediate notification of crews to respond to the area. High priority orders are worked the next business day and routine orders are worked as the schedule permits.

29. I need to dig and I know there is underground utilities in my area, who do I call?

You need to contact Arkansas One-Call at 1-800-482-8998 or www.arkonecall.com. They will notify all underground utilities in your area for you and tell you the proper procedures.

30. In the event of a water outage, who do I call?

If you pay your utility bill to Benton Utilities, call 501-776-5930. This phone number is answered 24 hours a day/365 days a year. If your bill has been turned off for non-pay, you will be required to pay the past due amount in order to get it restored.

31. Where do I go to get Water turned on at my house or business?

You will go to the Benton Utilities Billing / Service Department at the Benton Municipal Complex at 114 S. East Street. Their phone number is 501-776-5923.

32. I have a question about my bill, who do I call?

Call the Billing / Services Department at 501-776-5923.

33. I need a plumbing inspection, who do I call?

Call the City of Benton Community Development Division to schedule one, their number is 501-776-5938.

34. How do I read my water meter?

Go to Types of Water Meters & How to read your Water Meter.