Show All Answers

1. I moved into a new home and I am not sure about the building’s plumbing. Is there a way I can tell if the water quality at my faucet is as high-quality as the water provided by the FKAA to the meter?

Any customer concerned about the water quality at their home can request a Water Quality Analysis (PDF). This Customer Water Quality Testing Program is provided by the Aqueduct free of charge. A water quality technician will come to your home and obtain a sample from your faucet. This sample will be tested for:

• Alkalinity
• Hardness
• Iron
• Total Chlorine
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
• Turbidity

The analysis will determine if the sample is outside of the acceptable range and will also allow a comparison between the water provided to the meter by the FKAA and the water at your faucet. If you have any questions about this program, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Joshua Peele, Water Quality and Environmental Manager, at 305-809-2636 or email Joshua Peele.

2. Why is my water cloudy and what does it mean to have “air in the line”?

The water in the pipes coming into your home or business is under pressure, so gasses (the air) are dissolved and trapped in the pressurized water as it flows into your glass. Occasionally, tiny air bubbles form, causing the water to look cloudy. As the air bubbles rise in the glass, they break free at the surface, thus clearing up the water. Although the milky appearance might be disconcerting, the air bubbles won’t affect the quality or taste of the water. 

If you see that your water has a cloudy appearance, let the water stand for a few minutes. If the cloudy appearance dissipates, it is simply tiny air bubbles in the water which have now escaped back to the atmosphere. Running the tap for a few minutes should remove the air. If a residue accumulates at the bottom of the glass, there may be sediment in the line. Occasionally, routine cleaning of pipes can stir up the material that has accumulated at the bottom of the pipe. This may also be removed by running the largest faucet for several minutes. If you have sediment in the line and running the tap does not resolve the problem, please contact the FKAA’s Water Quality Division at 305-295-2146.

3. What makes ice cubes cloudy?

As the water freezes, air is trapped in the ice. Light rays are distorted by the crystals and air, giving home-frozen ice a cloudy appearance. This does not occur in most commercially produced ice, as it is stirred as it is being frozen. This mixing reduces the crystallization and trapping of air.

4. What are the drinking water standards?

About

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards that, when combined with protecting ground water and surface water, are critical to ensuring safe drinking water. EPA works with its regional offices, states, tribes and its many partners to protect public health through implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Primary Drinking Water Standards

Primary standards are legally enforceable regulations that protect drinking water quality by limiting the levels of specific contaminants that can adversely affect public health and are known or anticipated to occur in water.

Secondary Drinking Water Standards

Secondary standards are a guideline regarding contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects or aesthetic effects, but are not known to pose health risks.

For a list of the Primary and Secondary Drinking Water Standards and the FKAA’s most recent results please see the Water Quality Reports.

5. How long can I store drinking water?

The disinfectant in drinking water will eventually dissipate even in a closed container. If that container housed bacteria prior to filling up with the tap water the bacteria may continue to grow once the disinfectant has dissipated. Some experts believe that water could be stored up to six months before needing to be replaced. Refrigeration will help slow the bacterial growth.

6. How often is my water tested?

In accordance with state and federal regulations and as part of the FKAA’s Water Quality Program, the FKAA conducts over 95,000 water quality tests every year. Your water is sampled and analyzed by skilled and certified technicians, operators, and laboratories. Your water is analyzed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at various locations, including at the underground source, at the water treatment plants, and at hundreds of points throughout the distribution system.

7. Is it safe to drink from my garden hose?

No. The chemicals in a standard garden hose may leach into the water. It is also important that water left in the hose does not inadvertently, through backpressure or back-siphonage, return into a house fixture such as the kitchen faucet. 

The installation of an inexpensive hose bib vacuum breaker will protect against back-siphonage. Hose bib vacuum breakers can be purchase at your local hardware or plumbing supply store. The most foolproof way to avoid backflow from the hose is to disconnect the hose from the house when not in use. Food grade plastic hoses are available and often used in recreational vehicles or boats

8. What is the difference between precautionary and mandatory boil water notices?

A Precautionary Boil Water Notice (PBWN) is simply a public statement advising customers to boil tap water before consuming it. PBWN’s are issued when an event, such as a water main break, has occurred and certain repair criteria could not be met, allowing for the possibility of the water to become contaminated. A PBWN is also issued to critical facilities (hospitals, doctors, schools, restaurants, etc.) anytime water pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch in the water main. A PBWN does not mean that the water is contaminated but rather that it could be contaminated. Because the water quality is unknown, customers should assume the water is unsafe to drink and take the appropriate precautions. Issuance of the PBWN, under these circumstances, is required by the Florida Department of Health. If contamination is confirmed in our sample location(s), we would issue a Mandatory Boil Water Notice. During a Mandatory Boil water Notice, all affected customers must use one of the precautions listed below. This is similar to a PBWN, but in a Mandatory Boil Water Notice, it would be imperative that you do so.

Precautionary and Mandatory Boil Water Notice