Q: Is there lead in my drinking water?
A: Check out this site for more information: www.epa.gov/safewater/Pubs/lead1.html

Q: Why Does My Tap Water Look Cloudy?
Every winter, the Water Plant receives a number of calls from residents who have noticed a change in the appearance of the water running from their faucets. Their descriptions range from ‘cloudy’ to ‘soapy’ to ‘old dishwater gray.’ Many callers report that they are lifelong residents who have never seen this before.

If you notice this, you need not be alarmed! What you are observing is harmless. It is merely air!

This phenomenon is caused by the temperature of Lake Michigan water, which is generally between thirty-three and forty degrees during the winter months, and the fact that air dissolves more easily in cold water. After water is treated by the City, it is pumped into distribution mains under pressure (about sixty pounds per square inch). While on its way to your home, the water begins to warm as it flows underground. This warming trend continues as the water enters the pipes in your home. Water entering a water heater really warms up! All along, it remains under pressure. This pressure forces the air to remain in solution even though its concentration is several times in excess of the water’s current capacity.

As soon as a household faucet is opened, the pressure is relieved and dissolved air begins to release. Although not quite as dramatic, in principle this is similar to heating up a can of soda pop and then opening it.

If you observe a glass of this ‘cloudy’ water, you will soon notice that it begins to clear at the bottom. As the bubbles rise to the top of the glass and pop, the band of cloudiness slowly begins to disappear.

These tiny bubbles are visible upon close inspection. They scatter light, causing the cloudy or gray appearance, just as the clouds of water vapor in the sky would. Once the cloudiness dissipates, the water is perfectly clear. No residue is visible at the bottom of the glass, offering further proof that this is simply air!

Q: How Hard is our Water?
This is a commonly asked question. Dishwasher & detergent manufacturers recommend that customers call their water utility in order to optimize detergent use. Our water is between 7 and 8 GPG (Grains Per Gallon) of hardness. Expressed as calcium carbonate equivalent, this is about 134 PPM (Parts Per Million) On dishwasher charts, this usually is rated as 'moderately hard' water. This is the natural hardness of Lake Michigan water which is derived from the limestone in the lake bed. Our water treatment does not affect hardness.

Contact Information
For further details on information contained within this article, or any other issue related to water purification, contact Don Jensen at the City of Highland Park Water Filtration Plant at (847) 433-4355.