Improve Water Quality in Your Home

Household PlumbingWater quality can change as it leaves the distribution system and enters private-side plumbing in homes and businesses. Household galvanized pipes are old, iron pipes that can affect water quality as it travels through your home and to your taps. Installed in many homes that were built before the 1960s, galvanized plumbing is known to build-up iron corrosion scales causing discolored water and lowered water pressure. Trenton Water Works delivers high quality drinking water through a series of underground pipes and encourages customers to identify household plumbing to ensure high quality water reaches your tap.  

Flushing

Run cold water taps for two minutes before using water for drinking and cooking. When water hasn't been used for several hours and sits in your pipes for long periods of time, water quality can decline. Instead of running your taps, other household water usage activities are effective methods for flushing pipes and allowing water from the distribution system to enter household pipes. This includes laundry, showering, flushing the toilet and running the dishwasher.

Cold Water Use

Do not use hot tap water for drinking and cooking. Hot water dissolves contaminants and may contain metals, sediment and bacteria that build up in the water heater.

Water Filters

Routinely replace filter cartridges. Bacteria and metals can build up in filter cartridges. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for filter replacement.

Household Plumbing

Replace old household plumbing and potential lead sources. Replace galvanized plumbing with copper pipes and install "lead-free" plumbing fixtures that contain 0.25 percent lead or less. After installation, flush cold water taps for five minutes once a day for three days.

Faucet Aerators

Aerators are located at the tip of household faucets and have a screen to collect particles and sediment.  Routinely clean faucet aerators and replace them as needed. Sediment and metals can collect in the aerator screen located at the tip of your faucets.

Water Heaters

Drain your water heater annually. Sediment, bacteria and metals can build up in the water heater tank. This can impact household water quality and water pressure.