FAQs • City and County of Broomfield, CO • CivicEngage

Why does my tap water look like carbonated milk?: Customers sometimes report that their tap water looks cloudy or milky when first drawn from the faucet, and sometimes it even fizzes like seltzer. If the water is left standing in a container, the cloudiness disappears. Why is that? What causes milky-looking water?Read more...

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Public Works - Water Quality

1. What's that funny taste in my water?: Consumers expect the water flowing from their home taps to be safe, clear, and good-tasting. After all, the water treatment industry has been developing technologies to purify water for centuries, so why can’t we deliver a consistent product that meets these expectations?
Unfortunately, undesirable tastes and odors are common in drinking water supplies, and controlling them can be frustrating for both customers and water treatment staff. Chlorine compounds used for disinfection, distribution system materials, and changes in raw water quality may all cause undesirable tastes and odors. Read more...

2. White flakes, flecks, and fragments in my drinking water....what are they?: A few years ago, customers began calling the Water Treatment Facility to report particles clogging their shower heads, faucets, and appliances, floating in bath tubs and coffee cups, and reducing water pressure.
The particles were described as whitish or light green, resembling eggshells, scale, oatmeal, or clay. A puzzling laboratory investigation finally revealed that the flakes consisted of some sort of plastic, and that the source was limited to the hot water. Read more...

3. Why is my tap water brown?: Sometimes customers notice that their tap water has a brownish, yellow, or rusty color. The off-color is often first noticed against a white container, such as a sink, bathtub, or toilet, and usually appears suddenly. In most areas of Broomfield, brown water episodes are localized and temporary, generally caused by some nearby activity.
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4. Fluoride and Drinking Water: Stories and articles concerning fluoridation of drinking water frequently appear in newspapers, health newsletters, television programs and online content. More often than not, the reports oppose fluoridation, citing various studies and questioning its value. The questions Broomfield staff receive are typically to verify that our water is fluoridated, and at the appropriate concentration, or to voice concerns about possible safety and health risks.
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5. Where does Broomfield get its water?: Broomfield is fortunate to have two sources of high-quality drinking water; water treated at the City’s Water Treatment Facility, and treated water purchased from the Denver Water Department. More details...

6. Do I need to install a home water treatment system?: Extensive analysis of Broomfield's drinking water indicates that it is free of harmful concentrations of any known contaminants, and that further treatment in the home is not necessary for health reasons. Sometimes residents wish to treat their water to minimize mineral deposits, remove chlorine, improve flavor, or provide extra confidence. Read more...

7. Why does my tap water look like carbonated milk?: Customers sometimes report that their tap water looks cloudy or milky when first drawn from the faucet, and sometimes it even fizzes like seltzer. If the water is left standing in a container, the cloudiness disappears. Why is that? What causes milky-looking water? Read more...

8. Why is chlorine used in the water treatment process?: "My water tastes (smells) like bleach (a swimming pool)" is the probably the most frequent water-quality concern expressed by residents. Why do we chlorinate the water? Why does the level vary so much? Is it safe to drink? Read more...

9. Could I have lead in my drinking water?: Due to the high quality of both sources of Broomfield’s drinking water, very little lead is present as it leaves the Water Treatment Plants. However, as the water travels through the distribution system, it may pick up lead from plumbing materials such as pipes, fixtures, and joints. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. If you are concerned about elevated levels of lead in your home’s water, you may wish to have your water tested.
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10. What's the best way to disinfect my drains?: Sometimes customers report that their tap water smells septic, swampy, moldy, or like sewage or sewer gas, or sometimes sulfur or rotten eggs. These odors are often caused by gases produced by bacteria that live on food, soap, hair, and other organic matter that have settled in your drains. These gases are heavier than air, and remain in the drain until the water is turned on, expelling the gases into the air around the sink. Read more...