What is going on with my water??
El Oso takes water quality very seriously and strives to provide clean, great tasting water. However, from time to time, the most perfect system will have water issues.
Here are some things you may see:
Cloudy/Milky - this is caused by air in the lines resulting from flushing in your area. It typically clears out of the mains in 24-48 hours. The water is perfectly safe to drink. Fill a glass or container, let it sit for a few mintues and it will dissipate.
Light Redish/Brownish/Yellowish - this is iron in the water. El Oso utilizes cooling towers, filters and phospate to sequester the iron natuarally found in groundwater before it leaves the plants. In the system, we regularly flush lines to help remove any sediment that has made it into distribution. The water is still safe to drink by following the flushing guidelines below, letting it settle or with filtration using a home filtration device, water filter or even a coffee filter over a strainer.
Dark Redish/Brownish/Yellowish - this is a combination of iron and manganese. In addition to the above treatment steps for iron, El Oso also treats our water with chlorine that eliminates most naturally occuring elements in groundwater. On occassion, there will be heavier pockets of iron and manganese moving through the aquifer and will not be completely removed before entering the system. For darker water, it is still safe, but it's best to flush your lines and if it is not cleared up, filter it using one of the steps above before consuming or use bottle water until it is cleared up.
Greenish - this could be a cross-contimination occuring on your property. It is usually organic matter that has found its way into your plumbing through a break or backflow. For this, its best to find the source and repair it. Then flush your lines to clear out any residuals.
When to call El Oso??
For light discoloration, please flush your service line by turning on an outside faucet and let it run for 3-5 minutes or until it appears clear. Then, turn it off and flush an inside faucet for 3-5 minutes, or until clear. If the water does not clear up after these steps, or returns later, please report it to El Oso so that we can flush in your area.
For dark discoloration, please report it to El Oso before flushing your lines. We will flush our main in your area then you can flush your lines.
If you water is milky/cloudy, you do not need to call El Oso. It will clear up on it's own.
How do I report water issues to El Oso?
Call our main number - 830-583-3543. During business hours, we will create a work order and send a technician to your location. After hours, the call is automatically forwarded to the on-call technician who will respond to your call.
Please note, if there is an issue in the system (main break, repair work, etc) causing the discoloration, the on-call technician may be actively trying to fix it and may not be able to take your call.
