Dirty nasty water

[Slipknot]

I think I am gonna lose it
A few years ago there was some kind of water main break down the road from me and something happened and I think the town screwed up. Well unbeknownst to us we ran the water to make dinner so the crappy water that got stirred up went thru our pipes and into our water heaters(we have 2 because the jaccuzzi needs lots of water). so now the tanks are contaminated but I didn't know the crap would stay in the tanks and settle to the bottom. So I did draw off some water later once the water was clear but the damage was done. within the next year we complained that even with regular draining off of the tanks first thing in the morning, that we still had brown water in the bathtub when you wanted to take a bath So after bending ears and asking for them to change our water heaters, they just came down and drained off the tanks a few times till we got clear water coming from the hot water. I don't think they emptied them completely, then blasted cold water into them like what was suggested to me by a plumber so when it began again with the brown tub water I got a pump and drained them completely and stirred up the sediment in the tank and did this a few times till clear. I did this last summer a couple times because I was sick of not being able to use the jaccuzi. Well after a while it did not help so I gave up that routine. A couple weeks ago I made the decision not to watse my time fighting with the town to change my water heaters and just get 2 new ones and put them in which we did, and paid a pretty penny for it. All better now, the water is clean, even after sitting for a week or so between baths.

Well now comes the killer, yesterday there's another problem down the street and the water is all black/brown again no warning from the town, but if you are smart enough to call THEM, they tell you don't do any laundry - DUH
I didn't even dare use and hot water but I know I washed my hands at lunchtime so it most likely got into the tanks, THE BRAND NEW ONES ! I'm so friggen disgusted
I feel bad for the water dept. guys working all night to fix it, but maybe if the water dept was run by someone competent, these things would not keep happening. Now we can't even take showers. And I am gonna have to borrow that pump again to drain off the tanks again, THE BRAND NEW ONES
I have to mention that before I installed the new tanks, I put in one of those whole house water filters, a decent one, and that did not even stop the sediment that was stirred up in the water mains
So once the water runs clear again, I have the hose running outside into the street, then I'll change the filter and begin running clean water thru the house piping to get rid of the crap in the pipes of the house. I hope that does it or else the town will not get my water bill paid untill they replace these tanks, I'm pissed and worried they are contaminated again.
The town has well water and it has gotten worse and worse over the years, Ocean Spray s#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g up all the water doesn't help matters.
So even if I drill my own well, I'll still need to get some kind of water softener since the ground water is so hard .

just venting and grumping here
that is all

[nightfighter]

Bruce, did you open up the old tanks to show the contamination?? The ballsy move is a gamble, but it would be to replace tanks again, prefaced with your lawyer's letter, explaining to the town that they should expect delivery of almost new tanks that they can use in their municipal facilities! Oh, and a bill or debit from your tax bill. Document everything you can........ Save, date, and label tap water and drawn off water from the new tanks. Would the town like to come out and measure the linear footage of copper heating pipe their system has compromised a second time? That department head should have a standing order to at least shut off the supply main to YOUR house, before they open up the street main, and knock on your door to notify you.

[Raven]

crankenstien.... what kind of contamination is it? water samples should be sent to a lab to determine "what in fact it is"....

and ditto to what NF said... Lawyer time... i dont know if the head guy is responsible for mother natures upheavels ....but improper packing is usually the problem....and then they simply tar over over the places in the roadway that sag....

i admire your dedication to resolve the problem ...yourself... as much as you can...but your having to do way to much of the work and your labor (time) is worth something....

[Slipknot]

ya, I know my time is worth something but fighting city hall is even more time consuming.
thanks guys
It's finally clear. At 5:30 this am they wee still down the road a bit but just finished up and sweeping up. Once everyone ran their water enough(and I habd my outside hose running full bore) the mains cleared out to almost clean. So I changed the filter and thenchecked the water tanks, the water looks good in the new tanks once I drew some off so maybe I don't need to empty them again.

I still don't even want to take a shower till I have to, wife and kids left for the day already. Maybe throughout the day the line will clear even more.
We get so used to the modern day convienences that when you don't have simple things like water or power, that it's a major inconvienence. I guess worse things could happen like the Patriots could lose some more players.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by Raven

crankenstien..

i admire your dedication to resolve the problem ...yourself... as much as you can...but your having to do way to much of the work and your labor (time) is worth something....

Well, if I don't do it to protect my investment, nobody will so I have no choice. I feel bad for the little old lady that knows nothing of how to drain off her tanks the town should notify us and that point will be brought up by me you can be sure.

If my neighbor did not call me to warn me not to run hot water, I would have steam coming out my ears.

[Raven]

think about a time when you were at your favorite spot
the fishing was excellent
the sunset was intensely beautiful
a warm breeze was blowing
and you had never felt happier.

thats all you can remember .... focus on that moment

otherwise the stress alone will kill ya....

ok ..... think of that moment now
control your breathing.....
slow your heart and mind

and relax....

[nightfighter]

Write a letter to document the water you had to 'waste' in order to flush your line. Keep a copy. Use it to get an adjustment on your water and sewer bill.... use your digital camera for documentation too.
Go make some sawdust. Get back in the game and we'll rag on you tomorrow!
Back to the shop..........then to go collect some accounts receivable so I can spend it at the show!

[Backbeach Jake]

If you had a private well that produced water with sediment, turbidity they call it, the local authorities would condemn it. Yet they get away with screwing up a public water supply. WTF! And you're right abot the little old ladies who have no idea how to clear their systems. It just isn't right.

[Jenn]

Slip...sending PM

[TheSpecialist]

Slip next time go down to the crew, and ask them to remove your water meter, and hook a line onto it. Why should you even have to pay for all the water you need to run to get the sediment out.

[Sea Dangles]

Any time a main breaks you will experience some turbidity in your water.Personally I don't think it's any towns responsibility to replace water tanks.Main breaks are never planned but if many occur in your section I would assume it's an older section of town.After the main is repaired it is a standard practice to flush dirty pipes until they flow only sparkling water.Sometimes the discoloration in well water is merely nutrients from the subsurface leaching into the well,unappealing but harmless.I never mind missing sleep to fish but it sucks when you miss it for a break.