FAQs

Chlorine is a disinfectant which has been used for many years in the water industry to make water safe to drink. Disinfection plays an important role in protecting public health by killing harmful bacteria. Using chlorine is better than using other disinfectants as it is effective from our treatment works right up to your tap.

Your water may occasionally smell or taste of chlorine after we have made a change to our water treatment processes. The level of chlorine dosed into your drinking water is carefully controlled and monitored.

We strive to keep the level of chlorine constant.  Unavoidable operational changes at our treatment works, or in our distributing pipes, may result in a slight taste of chlorine. Chlorine leaves our treatment works at less than one milligram per litre (one part per million), the level recommended by the World Health Organization. By comparison, water found in swimming pools typically contains 3 milligrams per litre of chlorine which is easy to smell. .

Treating drinking water with chlorine poses no risk to health. If you’re concerned about the taste then a good way to let the chlorine evaporate is to fill a jug with water and refrigerate it overnight.  Water kept like this should be treated as a perishable food and be consumed within 24 hours.

Domestic water filters or jug filters (both of which can contain activated carbon) can be used to remove chlorine from tap water. These filters should be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. There is no reason to use either type of filter on health grounds, as tap water containing chlorine is perfectly safe to drink.

This is often caused by high numbers of harmless micro-organisms, particularly fungi.  

Micro-organisms occur naturally in all water types and their numbers increase during the summer. This growth can be a particular problem in domestic systems, especially if the water has been allowed to stagnate.

In addition, when your hot water system warms your cold pipes, favourable conditions are created for microbial growth. Fungal growths or slimes may occur around taps and other water outlets, and in some cases be seen hanging from tap spouts.  

While unappealing, these growths do not pose a risk to health.

• If the property has been unoccupied for some time then run your cold kitchen tap for approximately five minutes and then leave to stand for one hour.

• Check how close your hot and cold pipes are, and insulate if necessary.

• Use a chlorine-based disinfectant to remove fungal growth and slime.

• Ensure that you regularly use your water at home.

• When not in use, close the in-line control valves on your dishwashers and washing machines if they are plumbed in upstream of the drinking water tap. Check that the machine has a non-return valve fitted. 
  If the problem persists, consider replacing any new plastic pipework in your home as this can potentially cause an earthy or musty taste.

• Non-return valves and connection hoses within a plumbing system can wear out over time. Check on the condition of both the valve and the hose, and replace if necessary.

• Ensure that any outside taps with hosepipes attached have a non-return valve fitted to protect your water supply.

To avoid common issues make sure that your internal plumbing system is operational.

This can be caused by chlorine in tap water reacting with particular substances or materials to produce new chlorine compounds.

These new compounds are often formed by the reaction of chlorine with tap washers, plastic kettles, washing machines, dishwashers, connection hoses, rubber anti-splash attachments and plastic pipework.

There is no health risk associated with this type of taste, although the water can be unappealing.

Advice on suitable fixtures and fittings is available from the Ministry of Health Saint Lucia who publish a list of suitable materials which do not react with chlorine.

When water has been unused for a long period of time it stands still in the metal pipework in your plumbing system at home. The dissolved metals can form granules which look like sand.

Metallic domestic pipework needs to have been installed in a particular order: galvanised iron, iron, lead and copper. If it is in any other order then metal compounds may be broken down and released from the pipework. 

The fitting of a domestic water softener can cause metals from the pipework to enter the water supply, particularly if the water is very soft.

Metallic compounds are normally harmless to health unless levels increase. If you are concerned about a metallic taste and odour contact us immediately for further assistance.

Below are some suggestions which might help solve the problem:

• If the property has been unoccupied for some time then run your cold kitchen tap. This water can be collected in a bowl and used for purposes other than drinking and cooking.
• If a water softener is fitted, check it has been installed correctly and is operating as described within the manufacturer's instructions.
• If you have concerns over the order and type of metallic pipework in your home then it may be necessary to arrange a plumbing inspection of your pipework. We can help you arrange this. We can help you arrange a pipework inspection.
• When not in use, close the in-line control valves on your dishwashers and washing machines if they are plumbed in upstream of the drinking water tap. Check that the machine has a non-return valve fitted.
• If the problem persists, consider replacing any new plastic pipework in your home as this can potentially cause an earthy or musty taste.
• Non-return valves and connection hoses within a plumbing system can wear out over time. Check on the condition of both the valve and the hose, and replace if necessary.

This is likely to be caused by trapped air in the pipework or dissolved chalk particles.

What does this mean?

Air can get into the water supply following a repair on our water pipe network, or by a pocket of air becoming trapped in the pipework inside your home. Water with air in has a cloudy or milky white appearance. This is because of the concentration of thousands of tiny air bubbles that make the water look white.

A fine white sediment is formed when chalk deposits rise from the natural minerals found in water. Drinking water supplied by us is generally described as hard, and has a higher concentration of natural minerals than soft water. The presence of undissolved chalk has a powdery white appearance.

In each case, there is no risk to health although the appearance of the water may be unappealing.

If you have a domestic water softener fitted it can release chalky white pieces of scale over time. 

It is advisable that any domestic softeners are fitted downstream of the drinking water tap, and are maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Find out if the cause is air or chalk using our Glass Test:

• Fill a glass with water from the cold kitchen tap and watch how it clears.  Water with air in can take up to ten minutes to clear, and will clear from the bottom of the glass upwards. Water containing chalk takes an hour or more to clear, with the glass clearing from the top downwards. A fine sediment will then be left on the floor of the glass.
• Any white water in the mains network should clear within two to three hours. After this time the tap should be run for two to three minutes to check that the problem has cleared.
• However, if the problem persists please contact us for further advice.

Air can get into the water supply following a repair on our water pipe network, or by a pocket of air becoming trapped in the pipework inside your home. Water with air in has a cloudy or milky white appearance. This is because of the concentration of thousands of tiny air bubbles that make the water look white.

A fine white sediment is formed when chalk deposits rise from the natural minerals found in water. Drinking water supplied by us is generally described as hard, and has a higher concentration of natural minerals than soft water. The presence of undissolved chalk has a powdery white appearance.

In each case, there is no risk to health although the appearance of the water may be unappealing.

If you have a domestic water softener fitted it can release chalky white pieces of scale over time. 

It is advisable that any domestic softeners are fitted downstream of the drinking water tap, and are maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The most common cause of brown, orange or yellow water is iron particles suspended in your water. Small rust fragments may also be present.

There are many possible sources of iron particles found in your water:

• Iron can occur naturally in some raw waters which are taken for drinking water treatment.   Iron salts can be chemically dosed into water during treatment. This encourages the unwanted solids to stick together making it is easier to remove them.
• The disturbance of iron deposits in some mains can also lead to iron particulate in water. Iron deposits can be caused by the corrosion of cast iron pipes, or by dissolved iron in the water falling out of solution. Changes within the mains network, such as vibrations through the ground or the use of a hydrant, can dislodge the particles and they move around the pipework.
• Your plumbing at home can also be a source of discolouration, particularly if it has undergone recent work. The discolouration is not harmful, but take care to avoid the use of water until it has cleared. The taste of the water may not be of the usual standard and it may stain clothing.

To potentially identify the cause of the discoloured water you may like to consult with a neighbour.

If the discolouration is isolated to your tap it is likely that there is an internal plumbing issue, but if your neighbour is also affected it may be the supplying main. In either case, allow the system to settle for one hour and then run the affected tap for two to three minutes.

Whether you have a dripping tap, need a burst pipe repaired, or a new plumbing system installed, we recommend you choose an approved plumber to ensure they are fit to work in your home.

To check they are qualified and have the knowledge required in water regulations.

Disclaimer - please read

• Please note, when we compiled the information on our approved plumbers search, the companies listed employed qualified named plumbers, who are familiar with the requirements of the Water Regulations.
• Your contract will be with the approved plumber / underground worker and not The Water and Sewerage Company Incorporated  (WASCO).
• We will not get involved in any contractual disputes between you and the plumber.
• We recommended that you obtain at least one quote before employing any contractor.
• We recommend that you ask in advance, whether there is a charge for giving a quote.
• If you are also receiving a new connection from our Customer Services department, please provide the quote number and district number on your invoice, to the approved plumber or contractor, so they can enter this on the certificate of compliance.