The milky color is really air in your lines. If the milky appearance begins to disappear from your water starting at the bottom of a glass of water and clears by rising to the top of the glass within 1 to 2 minutes then your water is safe. Air in the water can be caused by different things. If PGUD or you have water turned off to repair a leak or some other reason, then that will cause air to appear in the water. Another event that causes air or oxygen in the water is the temperature of the water PGUD is treating. If the water is cold, it heats up a little when entering the water glass allowing the release of any trapped air. This is similar to boiling water on the stove. As the water is heating up, the air bubbles start appearing.

Any physical or potential connection between a potable water supply and a hazardous material or one of questionable quality is a cross-connection. There shall be no such connection without the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly in accordance to the degree of hazard of the substance involved.

Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of non-potable water or other substances through a cross-connection and into the piping of a public water system or consumer’s potable water system. There are two types of backflow- back pressure and back siphonage.

Back pressure backflow is backflow caused by a downstream pressure that is greater than the upstream or supply pressure in a public water system or consumer’s drinking water system. Back pressure can result from an increase in downstream pressure, a reduction in the potable water supply pressure, or a combination of both. Increases in downstream pressure can be created by pumps, temperature increases in boilers, etc. Reductions in potable water supply pressure occur whenever the amount of water being used exceeds that amount of water being supplied, such as during water line flushing, fire fighting, or breaks in water mains.

Back siphonage is backflow caused by a negative pressure in a public water system or consumer’s potable water system. The effect is similar to drinking water through a straw. Back siphonage can occur when there is a stoppage of water supply due to nearby fire fighting, a break in a water main, etc.

Backflow will occur when the water pressure in the public water supply is lost, reduced, or if the customer’s water pressure becomes greater than the public supply. Depending on the type of cross connections that exist, contaminates can flow back into the customer’s water system and eventually into the public water supply. In addition to disease and illness, death can result when drinking water becomes contaminated by chemicals such as lead, cyanide, caustics and arsenic compounds. Pesticides and herbicides used widely in the home have also caused death via cross connections. Identifying potential hazards associated with cross connections, and eliminating or protecting against them is the concern of Hallsdale-Powell Utility District and the local public health agencies. Because almost all water systems have cross connections, the water system personnel must maintain a constant vigil for their detection and elimination.

By installing a PGUD approved backflow preventer mechanism to prevent backflow. The basic means of preventing backflow is an air gap, which either eliminates a cross-connection or provides a barrier to backflow. The basic mechanism for preventing backflow is a mechanical backflow preventer, which provides a physical barrier to backflow. The principal types of mechanical backflow preventers are the reduced-pressure principle assembly and the double check valve assembly.

Backflow preventers must be tested annually since they have internal seals, springs, and moving parts that are subject to fouling, wear, or fatigue. The annual test is also a measure to make sure that proper backflow protection is being utilized. Hallsdale-Powell Utility District (PGUD) will have a contractor test each backflow according to the state guidelines. If the backflow preventor fails the annual test the customer will be repsonsible for having the proper repairs made. PGUD can provide an approved list of backflow testing companies, after a formal request by the customer, to conduct a re-test once the repairs are complete.

Ironically, the ordinary garden hose is the most common offender, as it can be easily connected to the potable water supply and used for a variety of potentially dangerous applications.

Pollution of the water supply does not constitute an actual health hazard, although the quality of the water is impaired with respect to taste, odor, or utility. Contamination of the water supply, however, does constitute an actual health hazard; the consumer being subjected to potentially lethal water-borne disease or illness.