Water Quality Troubleshooting Guide

Taste and Odor

Chlorine, Bleach, or Swimming Pool Odor or Taste

To make the water safe to drink, Lincoln Water System treats Lincoln’s water with chlorine to kill harmful microorganisms. Ammonia is then added to the water to form chloramines. Chloramines make the chlorine last longer as it travels through the water mains which better protects public health. Lincoln’s water has been treated with chloramines since the 1930s. Chloramine levels are adjusted to maintain proper disinfection throughout the water distribution system. In some cases, customers may detect a slight chlorine odor in the water. Lincoln Water System maintains a safe level of chlorine in the water at all times.

Plant operators closely monitor the amount of chlorine added to the water at the treatment plant. They make sure the chlorine is always at the correct level. Several inline analyzers installed in the system provide continuous chlorine monitoring. Additionally, laboratory staff measure chlorine along with other water quality parameters at more than 120 sampling sites around the city.

Water disinfected with chloramine usually has less of a chlorine odor than water treated with only chlorine, but a slight chlorine odor is still possible in our water. You might smell or taste chlorine because of seasonal operational changes, water age, or chlorine interactions with naturally occurring materials in the water.

Recommendations

Sometimes, a stronger odor occurs when the water has warmed inside home plumbing. To reduce chlorine odor and taste, first try flushing your cold water for a few minutes. If chlorine odor persists, you can try letting your water sit out at room temperature for several hours. After the odor decreases, cool the water in the refrigerator. You may choose to filter your water through an activated carbon filter or add slices of lemon to neutralize the odor. Customers requiring chloramine removal from their water, such as home dialysis users, should consult with their physician. Consult a pet-care professional for information about removing chloramine for aquatic pets.

Please call LWS at 402-441-7571 with any questions or concerns regarding chlorine odor.

Sulfur, Rotten Egg, or Sewer Odor

A sulfur, rotten egg, or sewer smell is usually caused by one of two things:

  • a drain odor, or
  • a water heater odor

The most common cause of a sulfur smell is odor that is actually coming from the drain and not the water itself. When the water is turned on and begins flowing down the drain, the drain can release odors that are mistakenly thought as coming from the water.

The drain is the most common cause of a sulfur smell The drain is the most common cause of a sulfur smell
Try this first

  1. Fill a glass with cold water and take it to another room or outside when smelling it. Is the sulfur smell still there? Repeat with your hot water.

    If your cold and hot water do not smell when taken far away from the drain, then the odor most likely is coming from the drain.

    Although uncommon, it is possible for a sulfur smell to develop inside a water heater. This most often occurs if it is infrequently used and has a magnesium sacrificial anode.

  2. Is the smell coming from all the faucets in your house?

    Determining which fixtures are affected can help you determine the source of the odor.

Recommendations

If your cold and hot water do not smell when taken far away from the drain, then the odor most likely is coming from the drain. For drain odors, the best remedy is to remove all debris from the drainpipe. You can also try cleaning the drain by adding a half cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar. Allow those to sit in the drain for at least ten minutes and then pour a pot of hot water down the drain. Adding diluted bleach to the drain and letting it sit is another option. This may need to be done regularly. Also, make sure all the drains in your home have water in them by pouring water down rarely used drains like a basement shower or floor drain. When these drains dry out because of no use they provide a direct connection to the sewer system and cause a sewer type smell. Determining which fixtures are affected by the odor can help locate the source of the problem. However, because drainpipes are interconnected, the source of the odor may be located somewhere else on the property. For more help with drain issues, we recommend hiring a licensed plumber or drain expert.

If only your hot water has an odor, the sulfur smell is most likely caused by hydrogen sulfide gas produced by bacteria living in the water heater. Increasing the temperature of the water heater to kill the bacteria should help. Unless you are very familiar with water heater operation and maintenance, have a plumber do the work.

If you have concerns or questions regarding your water’s odor, please call Lincoln Water System at 402-441-7571.

Earthy or Musty Odor or Taste

There are many different reasons the water may have an earthy or musty smell or taste. Possible causes of an earthy or musty odor are:

  • water taking in taste and odor from your home plumbing
  • an odor from your drain
  • taste and odor coming from the City’s water
Try this first

  1. Fill a glass with cold water and smell or taste it in a different room. Does the smell or taste improve?

    If the smell or taste improves, the source of the odor is most likely the sink’s drain. When the water is turned on and begins flowing down the drain, the drain can release odors that are mistakenly thought as coming from the water.

  2. If you have a water softener or other home water treatment device, does the taste and odor occur in water that is not treated?

    If un-softened or un-treated water does not have the odor or taste, the most likely cause of the odor or taste is your home water treatment device.

  3. Is the odor or taste occurring in the hot water, the cold water, or both?

    If the odor is not present in plain cold water, your water heater is most likely the source of the odor.

  4. Turn on the cold water and flush out the water for a few minutes. Does the water’s taste and odor improve?

    If it does, the taste and odor may be coming from your plumbing.

  5. Does the taste and odor occur in cold water from all the taps in your home?

    Determining if the problem occurs with water coming from only some of your fixtures can help identify the source of the taste and odor.

Recommendations

If the taste and odor of your water improves after flushing, the source of the odor may be in your household plumbing. Make it a habit to regularly clear out any water that has been sitting stagnant in your plumbing.

If the taste and odor is not coming from every faucet, the cause of the odor is most likely within your plumbing. If clearing out all stagnant water by running the water for a few minutes does not help, you may benefit from performing maintenance on or replacing the affected plumbing.

Water heaters and home water treatment devices (i.e., water softeners, filters, etc.) can cause taste and odor issues if not properly maintained.

For drain odors, the best remedy is to remove all debris from the drainpipe. You can also try cleaning the drain by adding a half cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar. Allow those to sit in the drain for at least ten minutes and then pour a pot of hot water down the drain. Adding diluted bleach to the drain and letting it sit is another option.

It is possible for earthy and musty tastes to occur within the water itself and these tastes and odors can become more noticeable in warmer water. Filling a pitcher after letting the cold water run for a few minutes and cooling the pitcher of water in the refrigerator may help.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the odor or taste of your water, please call Lincoln Water System at 402-441-7571.

Metallic or Bitter Taste

Try this first

  1. If you have a water softener or other home water treatment device, does the taste occur in water that is not treated?

    If un-softened or un-treated water does not have the abnormal taste, the most likely cause is your home water treatment device.

  2. Turn on the cold water and flush out the water for a few minutes. Does the water’s taste improve?

    If it does, the taste may be coming from your home’s plumbing.

  3. Is the taste occurring in water coming from the cold tap?

    If the cold water does not taste metallic, the likely source of the taste is your water heater or the pipes carrying the hot water. Drinking or cooking with water that has been in your water heater is not recommended because it can contain more sediment.

  4. Does the taste and odor occur in cold water from all the taps in your home?

    Determining if the problem occurs with water coming from only some of your fixtures can help identify the source of the taste.

  5. Have you started any new prescriptions, herbal supplements, or vitamins?

    Certain medications and supplements can affect our sense of taste.

Recommendations

Metallic and bitter tastes are often due to old iron pipes inside homes. Turn on the cold water and run the water for several minutes. Remove the aerator located at the tip of your faucet and clean any debris in the aerator. Knowing if the taste only occurs in water from certain fixtures in your home can help locate the source of the corroding pipe, fitting, or fixture. Other ways to help improve the taste include replacing old plumbing, servicing home treatment devices, and filtering your water.

Iron is not a health hazard, but if you have any plumbing that has lead, there may be lead released into the water if corrosion is occurring. See the Lead Awareness page for additional information on protecting yourself from possible lead in water.

Repair work on the water mains, including opening valves or flushing fire hydrants, can stir-up sediments that are inside the City’s pipes. This should be temporary. If you have flushed your cold-water faucets for several minutes, removed and cleaned your aerators, and your cold water still tastes metallic or bitter, please call Lincoln Water System at 402-441-7571.

Particles and Color

Cloudy or Milky White Water

Try this first

If you notice cloudy water, fill a clean glass with water from the cold tap and let it sit on the counter. If the water starts to clear at the bottom of the glass first, the white appearance of your water is caused by tiny air bubbles. Air in water is not a health concern.

The white appearance of tap water is often caused by tiny air bubbles

Colder water can hold more air. When the water warms up inside the house, the air escapes. If you have an unusual amount of air in your water, there could be pockets of air in the plumbing. Recent plumbing work within your home or utility work on water mains are common causes.

Recommendations

To flush out excessive air, run the cold water from every faucet for fifteen minutes. Start by turning on the cold water at faucets that are the highest and farthest from the water meter and end with the outside faucets. After fifteen minutes, turn them off in the same order.

If an unusual amount of air is present in water from only a few faucets, your plumbing is the most likely source of the air. A plumber may be able to help. If an unusual amount of air is still present from all faucets after 24 hours or if the cloudiness does not clear up at the bottom of the glass, please call LWS at 402-441-7571.

White, Tan, or Grey Particles or Residue

In most cases, light-colored particles or residues are caused by naturally occurring minerals in our water, like calcium and magnesium. The presence of these minerals is why our city’s water is considered hard water. Drinking hardness minerals is not a health concern and can be considered beneficial since our bodies use these essential nutrients to function. But they can be a nuisance when they cause build-up in plumbing and on fixtures and appliances. Hardwater minerals can also become visible in ice, especially after the ice melts.

Light-colored particles or residues are usually caused by naturally occurring minerals in our water Light-colored particles or residues are usually caused by naturally occurring minerals in our water

Plumbing work, pipe vibrations, or adding a water softener can cause mineral scale inside the pipes to become loose and enter the water or get trapped inside faucet aerators. Sometimes, these particles will have a mix of colors that came from the metals in the plumbing.

Try this first

  1. If you fill a clear glass with water and let it sit for a few minutes, does the water start to clear up starting from the bottom of the glass?

    If it does, the white particles are actually tiny bubbles of air. See the section on cloudy water for more information.

  2. Place the particles in undiluted vinegar.

    If the particles bubble or dissolve after a few hours, they are mineral deposits that come from hard water. If they do not dissolve, they may be pieces of plastic from your water heater’s dip tube requiring repair or resin beads from your softener requiring maintenance.

    Water softener resin beads and a dime Water softener resin beads
Recommendations

Mineral build-up on appliances and surfaces – Hard water causes calcium to build up in water heaters, dishwashers, coffeemakers, washing machines, and humidifiers. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to maintain your appliances for hard water. Flush your water heater annually to remove sediment build-up. Vinegar and a non-scratch scouring pad works well for cleaning humidifiers and many other surfaces. Let the vinegar sit on the build-up for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinse thoroughly. Because vinegar can damage certain materials, check the appliance manufacturer’s instructions or test the vinegar in an inconspicuous spot before use.

Clogged faucets – If possible, remove the aerator from the tip of the faucet. This can be placed in vinegar for a several minutes and then scrubbed to remove hardwater build-up. Shower heads can also be cleaned with vinegar or other safe de-scaling products.

White film or spots on dishes – Towel-dry dishes to prevent water from evaporating and leaving spots on dishes. If dishes coming out of the dishwasher are cloudy, use detergent made for hard water and add rinse-aid or another conditioner. Follow your dishwasher’s manual for instructions for mineral removal. Typically, this involves adding vinegar or a specially-designed cleaner to an empty dishwasher and running a cycle.

If the cloudiness on your glassware does not clear up after cleaning with vinegar, it may be etched. Etching is caused by tiny scratches in the glass and is permanent. It is often caused by a combination of the wrong detergent or too much detergent, soft water, high temperatures, and dishes being rinsed too thoroughly before washing. Homeowners should consult their dishwasher owner’s manual or visit the manufacturer’s website for instructions on preventing glass etching.

See our Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for the most recent hardness results.

If you have concerns or questions regarding particles in your water, please call Lincoln Water System at 402-441-7571 option 2.

Rusty, Yellow, Orange, or Brown Water

Light yellow to dark reddish-brown water is typically caused by iron in the water. The iron can come from the City’s water mains or from private plumbing.

Rusty water coming out of tap
Try this first

  1. Does the discolored water appear often, usually when you first turn on the faucet and last for only a minute or less?

    If so, this could indicate an internal plumbing problem in your house. Many houses have galvanized steel (iron) pipes or brass fittings and fixtures that corrode causing iron to collect in the water. Mismatched metals can also cause corrosion.

  2. Turn on the cold water at a faucet located nearest to your water meter and let the water run for ten minutes. Does it clear up?

    If the water was rusty but then cleared up, it is difficult to say whether the source of the iron was from your home’s plumbing or from the City’s water mains. If it has not cleared, the likely source of the rusty water is the City’s water main. Work on the water mains, including opening valves, or operating fire hydrants, can stir-up sediments that are inside the pipes. This should be temporary but may require us to come flush the water mains.

Recommendations

Hire a plumber to help fix problems with recurring rusty water within your home. You most likely will need to replace corroding plumbing. Before drinking or cooking, turn on the cold water for several minutes to discard any water that has been sitting in the pipes. Iron is not a health hazard, but if you have any sources of lead in your private plumbing, there may be lead in the rusty water. See our Lead Awareness page for additional information on protecting yourself from possible lead in water.

If the discolored water does not clear up after ten minutes of flushing, call Lincoln Water System at 402-441-7571 option 2. Try not to use any hot water to prevent the rust from entering your water heater. Do not do any laundry to prevent the rust from staining your clothes. Do not use any water treatment devices to prevent the rust from overloading your filters or devices. You can try the cold water again every thirty minutes to see if the water has cleared up or wait for Lincoln Water System to flush the hydrant after you have reported the issue to us.

Blue Stains or Blue-Green Water

Blue or green stains on fixtures are usually caused by copper corrosion. If water has been sitting stagnant for a long period of time in copper pipes, especially new pipes, the copper can oxidize and turn the water blue. In most cases, this problem will resolve itself as minerals coat the inside of the pipes over time. This process may take longer if you have a water softener. Sometimes, the copper pitting is extensive and requires replacement. Mismatched metals or improper electrical grounding in the home or business can also be a cause of copper corrosion.

Occasionally, a blue-green sludge or sediment called aluminum hydroxide is created inside a water heater. This can happen inside infrequently used water heaters that have aluminum sacrificial anodes. Aluminum hydroxide can quickly clog faucets.

Recommendations

Hire a plumber to help determine the cause and resolution of blue-green staining or water. An electrician can determine if improper wiring is the cause of copper corrosion. Having your water tested at a certified laboratory for copper and/or aluminum may also be helpful.

Copper is an essential trace element, but consuming high levels of copper can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, liver damage, and kidney disease. A very small percentage of infants and young children are unusually sensitive to copper.

Before drinking or cooking, turn on the cold water for several minutes to discard any water that has been sitting in the pipes. Consider using a filter certified for copper removal until the blue-green water is no longer an issue. More information on water treatment devices can be found at nsf.org.

Do not consume water that has been in your water heater. Hire a plumber to inspect your water heater if you suspect the blue-green color is coming from your water heater.

If you have questions or concerns regarding blue-green water or stains, please call Lincoln Water System at 402-441-7571 option 2.

Black Particles or Black/Brown Slime

Black particles on faucet tips, in the toilet, or in water are usually one of two things: plumbing materials breaking down (gaskets, hose liners, toilet flappers, carbon filters, etc.) or slime mold.

Try this first

  1. Look at it closely. Is it made of many small separate particles? Or is stringy or clinging to the faucet?

  2. Rub the particles between two fingers. Does it feel slimy or slippery? Does it break into smaller pieces or mostly squish like jelly under pressure?

Although not every broken-down plumbing material or slime mold always appears the way one would expect, there are general differences.

Deteriorating plumbing materials – When gaskets, o-rings, or hose liners get old, they usually break apart into pieces. When rubbed between two fingers, the pieces can become even smaller until they appear similar to soot. At this point, they usually do not feel slimy, but some black plumbing materials can feel oily. The particles may feel solid or chunky. If black particles are found mixed in with the water, they are usually deteriorating plumbing materials. If you are finding small grey or black particles in water passing through a filtering device, they may be pieces of carbon coming loose from the filter.

Slime mold – Slime molds are usually bacteria that come from outside and grow wherever they can find water and a food source. They tend to form gelatinous or stringy slimes on tips of faucets, in toilets, and in washing machines. When touched, they usually feel just like their name-slimy. However, sometimes slime molds can be mixed with hard water deposits which can give them a gritty appearance and feel.

An example of slime mold on a faucet aerator An example of slime mold on a faucet aerator
Recommendations

Deteriorating plumbing materials – Determining which fixtures are affected will help you figure out what needs to be replaced. Hiring a licensed plumber may be helpful. If you suspect the particles are coming from your filtering device, check the manufacturer’s instructions for how to proceed.

Slime mold – Because the organisms that cause slime mold can come in from outside, it is not possible to eliminate them. But you can keep slime mold in check by regularly cleaning where you see it. If you have hardwater deposits, remove them with vinegar and scrubbing. Then, disinfect with a mild bleach solution.

If you have questions or concerns about your water quality, please call Lincoln Water System at 402-441-7571 option 2.

Pink, Orange, or Red Stains or Slime

The pink, red, or orange discoloration on bathroom sinks, drains, grout, toilets, shower heads and curtains are caused by a biofilm of bacteria. Typically, pink stains are attributed to the species of bacteria known as Serratia marcescens but other types of bacteria can produce the same color. As common inhabitants of our environment, these bacteria are considered airborne contaminants. They can come inside a home and grow wherever they find water and a source of nutrients. They thrive on phosphorous or fatty substances like soap or feces residue in toilets. Once considered harmless, Serratia marcescens has been linked to illnesses in vulnerable populations, mostly in hospital settings.

Yellow-orange stains can be caused by rust. See the section on rusty water for more information.

Recommendations

Because the bacteria that cause pink and orange stains can come in from outside, it is not possible to eliminate them. But you can keep their growth in check by regularly cleaning where you see them. If you have hardwater deposits, remove them with vinegar and scrubbing. Then, disinfect with a bleach solution. Remember to regularly clean your humidifier and pet dishes. For toilet stains, you can add ¼ cup of bleach to the toilet tank, let it sit for 15 minutes and then flush the tank a few times to remove the bleach. Clean shower curtains. Regularly replace any water and humidifier filters. To prevent the bacteria from growing, fix leaky faucets and wipe dry showers, tubs, and sinks after use.

If you have questions or concerns about your water quality, please call Lincoln Water System at 402-441-7571 option 2.

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