Q: How would I be made aware of a problem in the town water supply?
A: Turners Falls Water Department keeps a close watch on your water
supply system. If a problem were found all affected water users would
be told about the problem via radio, television, local newspapers.
Q: My water is occasionally discolored, is it safe to drink?
A. You can safely drink, cook, and bathe in this water. Although it
may not be esthetically pleasing, it is safe. The discoloration may
be caused by a number of situations due to iron pipe in the system.
1. Yellow color is from dissolved iron in the water
2. Red or brown color is caused by very small specks of iron. These
may be caused by a quick change in water speed, or direction in a pipe.
Such changes occur when there is a break in the system, flushing of
hydrants, or during a fire. Please wait until the water clears before
doing laundry.
Q: My water is sometimes cloudy, but it clears up. Can I drink it?
A: Yes. The cloudiness is caused by air being trapped in the water.
The water is completely safe to drink and it clears up by itself usually
very quickly.
Q. I have heard about chlorinating by products caused by treatments
with chlorine to kill germs in drinking water. Is it safe?
A. Due to treatment with chlorine there are small residuals of these
trihalomehanes found. As long as they do not exceed the maximum contaminant
levels (MCL) for these compounds, the water is completely safe to drink.
Q. Sometimes, especially during the summer my water may smell or
taste funny. What causes this?
A. Ground water is usually not as affected as surface water with algae
and other problems. Ground water is susceptible to concentrations of
hydrogen sulfide, that smell like rotten eggs. These tastes and smells
are usually not harmful, but please let your water supply people know
if you encounter a strange taste or smell in your water.
