FAQs • Norton, VA • CivicEngage

My water is cloudy and milky looking. Why is that?: The cloudy and milky water is caused by air. The cloudy or milky water appearance usually occurs when water has been shut-off for line repairs or when a newly installed line is first put into service. Although aesthetically unpleasing, it presents no harmful health effects.

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Water Treatment Department

1. How will I know if my water isn’t safe to drink?: Your water supplier must notify you by newspaper, mail, radio, TV, or by hand-delivery if your water doesn’t meet EPA of State Standards or if there is a waterborne disease emergency. The notice will describe any precautions you need to take, such as boiling your water. Follow the advice of your water supplier if you receive such a notice. The most common drinking water emergency is contamination by disease-causing germs. Boiling your water for one minute will kill these germs. You can also use common household bleach or iodine to disinfect your drinking water at home in an emergency, such as a flood.

2. Does the city water have Fluoride present?: Yes. The city water system injects Fluoride into the city water system at a range of 0.85 – 1.0 mg/l
Fluoride has been shown to reduce tooth decay in children’s teeth if they receive an adequate level. The optimal concentration, as recommended by The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), is approximately (0.90 mg/l)

3. My water is cloudy and milky looking. Why is that?: The cloudy and milky water is caused by air. The cloudy or milky water appearance usually occurs when water has been shut-off for line repairs or when a newly installed line is first put into service. Although aesthetically unpleasing, it presents no harmful health effects.

4. Why is my drinking water dirty or muddy?: A muddy appearance could be due to soil or sand that entered the pipes supplying your home during a pipe burst, repairs or maintenance operations. If your water has a muddy appearance allow the water to run until it clears, approximately 10–15 minutes.

5. What is the drinking water report that I receive?: Water suppliers must deliver to their customer’s annual drinking water quality reports (consumer confidence reports). These reports will tell consumers what contaminants have been detected in their drinking water, how these detection levels compare to drinking water standards, and where their water comes from. The report must be provided annually before July 1, and in most cases, are mailed directly to the customer's home.