Customer Tips and Other Water System Information from your PHSC Water Board
Conservation - Summer is the season we all use more water: for gardens, washing cars and pets, more showers, and extra loads in the wash machine. Pay attention to the small things and use your water resources wisely when the annual rainfall total in the Charlottesville area is low.
Water Meters - Do you know where your water meter is? Meters should be kept clear of leaves, poison ivy, vines, dirt, etc. in order to read them. If it is covered, the service company may not read it, resulting in an estimated bill.
Backflow - Backflow (also called cross-connection) happens when the normal flow of water is reversed from its intended direction in a pipeline or plumbing system. The danger of backflow comes with the potential for cross-contamination: water that has contacted chemicals or hazardous compounds flows back into the system.
PHSC is committed to protecting our distribution system from contamination or pollution due to the backflow or back–siphonage of water service connections. In August 2022 PHSC began the process of implementing a formal backflow prevention and cross-connection control program as required by Part II, Article 3, 12 VAC 5-590-580 Commonwealth of Virginia Waterworks to prevent cross-connection contamination. This contamination can occur under back siphonage and backpressure conditions whereby contaminants are siphoned or forced respectively, back into the water system. The backflow is an unwanted reversal of the water flow caused by a sudden drop or complete loss in water pressure. Instead of pushing water out of the plumbing fixture, a drop in water pressure from the water source sucks water back into the system potentially contaminating the entire water distribution system.
You may need backflow prevention, for example, if you have an irrigation water connection that is used to supply a sprinkler system. If you have a sprinkler system, or any outdoor watering system at all, you will likely need to have backflow prevention. Please contact PHSC for further review if you think these conditions apply. For more information of the PHSC cross connection program that is being developed click here Cross Connection Control Program.
Our protection to control actual or potential cross connections is: (1) By educating home owners about cross connection issues; (2) By promoting the elimination of existing or future cross-connections through inspection and regulation of plumbing and water piping within a customer´s premises, the PHSC water system or between them; (3) Through proper installation and maintenance of backflow preventers on services to premises where actual or potential cross-connections exist to prevent backflow or back siphonage of contaminants or pollutants from the customer´s premises into the PHSC system.
Septic tanks - Do you know where your septic tank is? Every house has a septic tank. It should be pumped every 5 years to maintain proper flow of wastewater to its drain field. See the PHSC Peacock Hill Septic Systems Explained web page for more information.
Flushable wipes - Many wipes on the market are specifically labeled as “flushable” or “septic safe.” Manufacturers provide test results stating that flushable wipes are deemed safe to flush — however, there is evidence that supports the flushing of these wipes can increase the risk of clogged sewer lines and require pumping of septic tanks more often.
Just because an item can be flushed, doesn’t mean it should be. Many hygiene products used in the bathroom are flushed out of convenience and because they simply can go down the toilet. Baby wipes, paper hand towels, tampons and dental floss are items frequently found in studies of sewer system clogs or accumulations that are not designed to be compatible with sewer systems. The only thing that should go down a toilet is liquid and solid waste from your body and toilet paper. See the following flushable_wipes.docx for additional information.
Detecting water leaks - Leaks can be very costly! Look for running toilets, drips from faucets, and outside leaky hose connections. If you notice lush, tall growth or soggy ground there could be a leaky connection under ground.
Checking you water meter is an easy way to detect leaks. Turn off all water usage both indoors and outside. Check your water meter. If it is still running you have a leak. Or note the meter reading and check back in 1-2 hours. Has it changed? You have a leak! Turn off your main water shutoff valve and repeat the process. If the meter has not changed then your leak is indoors. However if the meter still shows a change then the leak is outdoors. For greater detail on this process please click the link that follows, from Alderwood Water District in WA state:
http://www.awwd.com/HowToTips/HowToDetectLeaks.ashx?p=1233
Please call PHSC if you suspect you have an outside leak or would like assistance with performing these tests.
Whole House Water Filters - While we recommend a whole house filter for all our customers, you do not need to buy an expensive system. Fergusons and Lowes have filter systems for sediment removal. We recommend using a 5 micron cotton wound filter.
See below for additional information. The following YouTube video has step by step instructions to follow on changing and maintenance of whole house filter systems
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsBHXVkAMww
CHANGING YOUR FILTER - AFTER A WATER OUTAGE, WE RECOMMEND ADDING THE FOLLOWING STEP TO HELP KEEP YOUR NEW FILTER WORKING MORE EFFICIENTLY:
1. After removing the old filter and before you install the new one, place a large bucket or pail under the filter line.
2. Slowly open the inlet valve to flush out the dirty water (due to extra sediment) that is in the line. It will be easier to have two people to do this, as you may need to fill the pail several times before the water starts to run clear.
3. Once the water is clear, reinstall the new filter as recommenced in the YouTube video.