Water mains are generally located 4 feet below ground.  This distance help to protect the mains from frost in colder climates.

Water mains are various in size, ranging from the smallest (6") to largest (102") in diameter.

On average, Providence Water has 250 employees.

There are approximately 6,275 fire hydrants in our distribution system.

 If the average person drinks the 'required' 64 ounces of water per day and lives to age 80, he/she will consume 14,600 gallons of water during their lifetime.

Providence Water has nearly 1,040 miles of water mains in our distribution system - enough to stretch from Providence to Florida!

Providence Water has approximately 76,800 service connections.

Providence Water provides water to (7) wholesalers - Greenville Water, the City of East Providence, Town of Smithfield, Lincoln Water, Kent County Water, Bristol Water, and the City of Warwick.

A standard toilet uses 3.5 gallons of water to flush.  All of those flushes can add up to approximately 20 gallons per day.

Taking a bath requires up to 70 gallons of water.

 The average resident uses about 100 gallons of water per day.

Many of the water mains in our distribution system were installed over 100 years ago.

Chlorine, ferric sulfate, fluoride, and lime.

The aerators located in front of our Purification Plant are used to improve the taste of the water, as well as to remove any unpleasant odors.

Providence Water serves Providence, North Providence, Cranston, Johnston, and East Smithfield.

Providence Water installs 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1.5", 2", 3", 4", 6", 8", 10", and 12" meters.

Flow from the source of water supply is entirely by gravity.  At present, the mode of delivery within the distribution system is 75% by gravity and 25% by pumping.

The first water pipes in the US were made from wood (bored logs that were charred with fire).

We have several types of main in our distribution system:  cast iron, ductile iron, concrete, steel, and asbestos cement.

The General Manager, the Executive Engineer and the Deputy General Manager of Administration oversee the daily operations at Providence Water.

 The average depth is 32 feet, the maximum depth is 90 feet.

Excluding the ice cover, the water temperature goes down to approximately 35 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and climbs to approximately 59 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer (based on the depths that we draw from, not the surface).

It takes six and a half years for the average American residence to use the amount of water required to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool (660,000 gallons).  The calculation is as follows:  (Scituate Reservoir) 39,746,000,000 divided by (Olympic-sized pool) 660,000 = 60,221 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The storage capacity of the Scituate Reservoir is approximately 39.7 billion gallons.

Turns occur right around April and October.  During the change of season, water temperatures differ from top to bottom. The different temperature waters have different density. The heavier water sinks while the lighter water rises thus causing a seasonal turn.

Fishing is not allowed in the Scituate Reservoir.

Yes, the water needs to be treated to reduce chemical and bacteriological contaminants.

The water in the Scituate Reservoir has a tint depending on the biological species present but overall it has a blue appearance.

 The average yearly rainfall at the Scituate Reservoir is 49.66 inches.

The Scituate reservoir dam is 3,200 feet long and 100 feet high.

The surface area of the Scituate Reservoir is 5.3 sq. miles, or 3,390 acres.

1,000 species have been identified.

The watershed is 92.8 square miles.

7 million trees have been planted.

Providence Water owns 5,000 acres of water and 13,000 acres of forest.

Personal recreational activities are not compatible with drinking water security but we do encourage participation in the guided tours we offer.

Scituate, Foster, Glocester, Western Cranston, and Western Johnston.

White pine, red pine, pitch pine, scarlet oak, red oak, black oak, white oak, white ash, and yellow birch.

Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, fishers, rabbits, deer, otters, beavers, turkeys, great blue herons, and owls.

Firewood, lumber, mulch, witch hazel, maple syrup, and wood chips for energy.

 The leaves of young tree seedlings.

The Barden, the Moswansicut, the Ponaganset, the Regulating, and the Westconnaug Reservoirs.

The watershed property is the largest physical asset that the City of Providence owns.

The most common source of lead exposure is from paint in homes and buildings built before 1978. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure for lead in U.S. children. The main sources of lead exposure are ingesting lead paint and inhaling dust created from home renovations (homes constructred before 1978).  Lead can also be found in some household plumbing materials and some water service lines. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 10 to 20 percent of human exposure to lead may come from lead in drinking water. Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.

Below is a link to a source that will help you to learn how you can easily reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water.

• 7 Easy Steps to Reduce Lead Exposure

Lead leaches into water over time through corrosion—a dissolving or wearing away of metal caused by a chemical reaction between water and your plumbing. Lead can leach into water from pipes, solder, fixtures, faucets (brass) and fittings. The amount of lead in your water depends on how long the water stays in the pipes, the water’s corrosivity, and water temperature.

• Homes constructed before 1945 may have lead service lines.
• Homes built after 1982 and before 1988 may have lead solder joints on their copper piping.
• Your home's brass fixtures may also contain lead.
• In 2014, Federal law mandated the surface of every pipe, fixture, and fitting sold for the use of potable water not contain more than .25% lead by weight.  If your home has brass fittings that have been installed before 2014, they may contain lead.

If you’re concerned your home plumbing may contain lead pipes (lead is a dull gray metal that is soft enough to be easily scratched with a house key), you may want to have your water tested by a certified laboratory. Testing is the only way to confirm if lead is present or absent. For more information on testing your water, you can call us at (401) 521-6303.

Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body.  It can damage the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body.  The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women.  Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children.  Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults.  Lead is stored in the bones and it can be released later in life.  During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.

With our lead notification and other outreach methods, Providence Water is educating consumers about steps to take to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water and the health risks associated with exposure to lead.  Providence Water has also made changes to the water treatment process to make the water less corrosive in an effort to reduce lead levels in some homes.

These measures, combined with the water main rehabilitation program's public lead service replacements and our unidirectional flushing program, are being utilized to reduce lead levels at the tap in homes with lead service connections.

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Lead can be found in air, soil, dust, food, and water.

Lead services lines on a customer’s property are not part of the public water system and are the responsibility of the property owner.  The property owner owns and maintains their service line from the shutoff valve located in the sidewalk or grassed area in the street right-of-way to the water meter.  Providence Water advises that you contact a licensed plumber for work on your service line. To learn more about replacing lead service lines, contact us at (401) 521-6303.

It is convenient, saves time, reduces errors, allows you to receive bills anywhere at any time and helps the environment by saving trees. You can continue to receive a paper bill, but if you elect to go paperless, you can always print out a copy of the invoice if needed.

Invoice Cloud is a web-based, electronic invoice presentment and payment company that we have partnered with to provide faster, more convenient billing services to our customers. By automating billing and collections, customers can click and pay online while helping the environment and reducing clutter in their home or workspace. 

If you are registered, you can login via your Providence Water website and view the bill there, or you can call Providence Water’s office and ask them to resend the email.

Invoice Cloud is a web-based, electronic invoice presentment and payment company that we have partnered with to provide faster, more convenient billing services to our customers. By automating billing and collections, customers can click and pay online while helping the environment and reducing clutter in their homes or workspace.

Providence Water’s customer service at (401) 521-5070 can answer most questions, but if the website is down or inoperable, please call Invoice Cloud customer service at (781) 848-3733.

Please be aware that interest and fees will not be waived if this website is inoperable for any reason or if data entry errors occur. If the website is inoperable, payments can be made by mail, by phone in some locations or at Providence Water’s Office. 

If you are unable to find the information you need in your online payment history or open invoices, please call Providence Water's Customer Service at (401) 521-5070.

Credit card transactions typically take 48 hours to settle.  An authorization is issued immediately; however, it takes 48 hours for the money to be moved.

The information you enter on the payment screen must be exactly the same as it appears on your credit card. This information collected will be used to authorize your payment. 

If you feel that this fee has been assessed in error or you would like more information about late fee charges, please contact Providence Water’s office.

Yes, each invoice is presented in PDF and HTML format. Electronic storage is recommended because it saves paper and has a beneficial impact on our environment.

• Email notification based payment – click the “View Invoice or Pay Now” button in your email
• Web based online payment – login to online bill pay via Providence Water website
• Paper check – sent by whatever means you choose, including US Postal Service (note:  many paper checks today are converted into electronic transactions once they are received by Providence Water).

Yes, simply login to your account and select “View paid or closed invoices”. If you are a registered customer, you will receive an email notification.

Yes, you can. There is a service fee when using credit cards which varies based upon the type of card, type of bill and payment amount. The exact service fee amount will be displayed during the payment process prior to submitting the payment. 

Yes, if Providence Water accepts partial payments, you may use one payment method for part of the transaction and another payment method for other parts of the transaction. 

Yes, if Providence Water accepts partial payments, you may use one payment method for part of the transaction and another payment method for other parts of the transaction. 

No, your current bank account (checking or savings) will work fine. So many payments are made electronically now that banks are already prepared for online payments. However, if you have arranged through your bank to automatically pay your bill, you need to contact your bank and discontinue the automated payment, otherwise you may pay your bill twice.

Simply log into your account and change any of your personal information under the My Profile tab. If you are unable to change some of your information, you may need to call Providence Water and have them change it for you.

EFT transactions typically take 48 – 72 hours to settle.  

24 months is the standard retention period.

The information you enter on the payment screen must be exactly the same as it appears on your credit card. This information collected will be used to authorize your payment. 

After you submit your payment, you will see a payment confirmation screen. It will contain your payment confirmation message. It will show an approved number for credit cards or a processed number for electronic check. You will also receive a confirmation email after your transaction is submitted. The email will include your account number, invoice number, amount paid, and confirmation message. If your electronic check does not pass through the bank, you will receive an email informing you of the rejected payment. You may need to call Providence Water in order to pay again.

After you submit your payment, you will see a payment confirmation screen. It will contain your payment confirmation message. It will show an approved number for credit cards or a processed number for electronic check. You will also receive a confirmation email after your transaction is submitted. The email will include your account number, invoice number, amount paid, and confirmation message. If your electronic check does not pass through the bank, you will receive an email informing you of the rejected payment. You may need to call Providence Water in order to pay again.

No, to complete the online payment process, you will need an email address so that the system can deliver your payment confirmation. If you do not have an email address, you can obtain a free email account from any of the following services: yahoo.com, hotmail.com, or gmail.com.

No, we are only permitted to accept credit card payments online via Invoice Cloud.

You can may issue an electronic check from your bank account (checking or savings), pay by credit card, debit card, or pay by phone. Please be advised that online and phone payment services are provided as fee-based services.

If you are registered, the only information you need to have available to complete a payment transaction is your email address and password. If you make a One Time Payment, then you will also need your bank account or credit card information and your account number. 

A partial payment occurs when only part of an invoice is paid and may apply if Providence Water has elected to allow partial payments. Please contact Providence Water’s office for more information.

A non-refundable fee added to an invoice to cover various administrative costs associated with billing and accepting payment.

You can make payment or review your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is always a good idea to pay or schedule a payment at least few days before the due date to allow for processing time.

Yes, you will have 24/7 access to your account for invoice review and payment, payment history and customer service requests.

Yes, simply go into your profile and under Paperless Options, select “No, I don’t want to go paperless.” Be sure to update/save the change.

Scheduled payments are scheduled individually by you for each bill on your specified date.

Yes, as long as it is changed before the date it was scheduled to be paid.

Yes. You can set up a future payment at any time prior to the bill due date.

You will need to contact your bank and cancel your automated or scheduled payment before the payment is due (typically payments are made a couple days in advance of the due date, so don’t wait until the last minute).

No, you will receive an email notification each time a new bill is ready for you to view and pay. Email notifications go to the email address used when you registered, a second email address may added if you wish to send notifications to an additional or back up email address.

Absolutely. Invoice Cloud will safely store all of your financial information using Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliant systems. This includes truncating (abbreviating) account numbers so that even Providence Water does not see your complete account information.

Invoice Cloud uses the highest standards in Internet security. Account information displayed within the customer and Providence Water portals is truncated to protect confidential data. Any information retained is not shared with third parties. 

PCI stands for Payment Card Industry, and compliance with the industry standards is a requirement for those that accept the major credit cards and for software providers who have applications which involve the transmission and/or storage of credit card information.  If breaches are found on systems that are not PCI compliant, the major credit card companies have the ability to levy significant fines on the offending parties.  

Yes, you will receive a confirmation email.

Yes, many customers use Macs.

Yes, an email address is required for payment confirmation.   A payment receipt is sent via email.

You may need to register to receive electronic bills by email, but registration is not required for One Time Payments. One Time Payments require that you enter your payment information each time you make a payment. By registering, you avoid that step and gain access to your payment history. 

Once you have registered, you will need only your email address and password to log in. To login the first time you use the system, you will need your account number or customer ID from your bill. The “locate your bill” screen gives instructions regarding the required information.

1. When you receive an email notification that your bill is ready to paid, simply click on the “View Invoice or Pay Now” button. You will be directed to Providence Water’s “Pay and/or View Bills Online” site, powered by Invoice Cloud. Once there, you will be given the opportunity to register or make a One Time Payment. If you choose to register, you will be asked to provide a password and accept the terms and conditions to use the system. The payment information you enter in your profile will then be securely encrypted and saved for your next visit. 
2. You can go directly to Providence Water’s website and click on the “Pay Online” button. You will then be directed to Providence Water’s “Pay and/or View Bills Online” site, powered by Invoice Cloud. Once there, you will need to locate your account and be given the opportunity to register or make a one time payment. If you choose to register, you will be asked to provide a password and accept the terms and conditions to use the system. The payment information you enter in your profile will then be securely encrypted and saved for your next visit. 

1. Customer receives email notification or accesses account via the Providence Water website by clicking on the “View Invoice or Pay Now” button.
2. Customer locates and views invoice and either enters payment information for a “One Time Payment” or registers to schedule a payment.
3. Customer receives an email confirmation with their payment amount and payment process date.

You should click on “Forgotten Password?” at the bottom of the login screen. You will need your account number and email address to retrieve your password. If you’re unable to locate this information, you may call Providence Water, and after verifying your identity, Providence Water can provide you with the information.

The service supports all modern browsers.

Orthophosphate is a colorless, tasteless, odorless food-grade ingredient that has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Orthophosphate is being used by approximately 50% of the water utilities throughout the United States.  In 2006, the EPA selected orthophosphate treatment as the optimal corrosion control treatment for reducing lead in drinking water. The addition of orthophosphate will form a protective coating on the interior of pipes, which is expected to reduce the amount of lead that is released into the water from sources such as lead service lines, lead-based solder, and household plumbing. Elevated lead levels within drinking water have been found in some homes in Providence Water’s retail area.

In 2013, Providence Water organized a panel of nationally recognized drinking water experts (Expert Panel) to find the best form of corrosion control treatment for our system.  The Expert Panel recommended the use of orthophosphate, which was then approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Orthophosphate is approved by the EPA as the optimal corrosion control treatment for reducing lead and is used successfully throughout the United States.

Yes. Orthophosphate is approved for use by the FDA, EPA, and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).  NSF is an independent international testing organization that certifies and writes standards for products, food, air, water and consumer goods in use.  According to the EPA, the typical phosphate levels found in a liter of drinking water are about one hundred times lower than the phosphate levels found in the average American diet. For example, a person would have to drink 10 to 15 liters of water to equal the amount of phosphates in just one can of soda.

Orthophosphate should not affect the taste, color or smell of your drinking water.

Orthophosphate is used by approximately 50 percent of water utilities throughout the country. According to a 2010 survey conducted by the New England Water Works Association, more than half of the 194 New England water suppliers listed use a phosphate-based corrosion inhibitor.

Providence Water will continue to test the water on a regular basis to track the water quality and success of the orthophosphate. We will be adhering to an established monitoring process that has been approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

There is no evidence that orthophosphate levels found in drinking water will negatively impact septic system functionality.

Providence Water has adopted a multi-pronged approach to reducing lead in tap water. In addition to improving corrosion control treatment, Providence Water is committed to water main rehabilitation, water main flushing and public education.

Providence Water is now offering 10-year, 0% interest loans for homeowners to replace private lead service lines.   If a homeowner replaces the private-side service line, Providence Water will automatically replace the public side at no cost. To find out if a residence has a public lead service line, please visit the interactive map on our website at www.provwater.com/lead.

It is important to note that even if a home does not have a public lead service line, it may still have a private lead service pipe, or lead in fixtures or household plumbing.  Providence Water is offering free lead testing to all retail customers in Providence, Cranston, North Providence, Johnston, and the eastern portion of Smithfield.  To have a free lead test kit mailed to your home or business, please contact our Water Quality Hotline at 401-521-6303.

There are some low cost test kits available from science shops, aquarium/pet stores, and swimming pool vendors, however, these kits are generally designed for quick, approximate answers; and may not be available in ranges applicable to your needs. At Providence Water, we use instruments specifically designed for measuring drinking water contaminants in the part per billion (ppb) and parts per million (ppm) range. Many of our chemical examinations are conducted using electrochemical and/or spectrophotometric methodologies. These procedures rely on equipment which can range in cost from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands dollars each; and provide a level of accuracy not possible outside the laboratory environment. Our microbial enumeration procedures often involve selective media cultivation, making home analysis equally unperformable.

Providence Water utilizes a water treatment technology known as "Conventional Treatment" in its water purification plant. In conventional treatment, multiple treatment techniques are strung together in series to create an efficient and cost effective method of water purification. Providence Water employs all of the following technologies in an effort to produce the most consistent and safest water available:

1. Coagulation - Chemical addition of Ferric Sulfate Fe2(SO4)3·xH2O as a coagulant to attract and bind impurities for removal.
2. Aeration - Physical process whereby oxidation of water is achieved to aid in the removal of iron/manganese impurities and foul odors/tastes.
3. Corrosion Control - Chemical addition of Quicklime (CaO3) to adjust the pH/alkalinity levels of the water to minimize the corrosion of plumbing lines.
4. Sedimentation - Physical process which allows the coagulated impurities and leftover excess ferric (iron) from the coagulation step to settle out of the water column.
5. Filtration - Physical process designed to remove tiny impurities still present in the water after the coagulation - sedimentation step.
6. Disinfection - Chemical addition of chlorine (Cl2) which is added to inactivate potential disease causing microbial contaminants.
7. Fluoridation - Chemical addition of Fluorosilicic Acid (H2SiF6) to elevate the natural fluoride level in the water to the optimum value of 0.7 mg/l for dental cavity prevention in children.

All these processes are combined in an effort to provide water quality that is reliable and safe for consumption.

 Customers can get (48) 8 oz. glasses of water for $0.01.

The average swimming pool takes 22,000 gallons of water to fill.  If you don't cover it, you could lose hundreds of gallons of water per month due to evaporation.

 Customers can get 675 gallons of water for the cost of a cup of coffee.

Chlorine is used as the primary disinfectant by many water suppliers, including Providence Water. Federal legislation known as the Surface Water Treatment Rule, promulgated in 1989, necessitated changes in the way disinfectants such as chlorine are applied. Since that time, Providence Water has endeavored to maintain as low a residual chlorine level as possible and still continue to meet the requirements of the regulation. Providence Water's residual free chlorine level for water leaving the treatment plant varies from 0.30 to 1.00 parts per million, considerably lower than many neighboring water supplies in RI, and the in United States as a whole, which often have residual chlorine levels at the consumer tap in excess of 1.00 mg/l.

A gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds.

A five-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons of water.

While the vast majority of lead poisoning occurs due to ingestion of lead contaminated paint chips, dust, and soil; drinking water has also been implicated as a source of lead consumption. Lead enters the drinking water supply predominated by leaching from the home's interior plumbing lines and/or lead service line. The home's interior plumbing pipes are often made of copper, connected with lead/tin solder. In 1987, the use of lead/tin solder for connecting and repairing drinking water plumbing pipes was banned. However, lead solder is still present in the water lines of many homes constructed prior to 1987. In addition, the water line which connects the large water main in the street to the home's water meter is in many cases made of lead. At one time lead was the material of choice for this application due to its durability and flexibility. Copper, connected with lead free solder, is now the accepted industry standard.

Although not all homes have a lead service line, there are approximately 20,000 such lines still in existence in the Providence Water system. Test results have shown that the highest concentration of lead occur in water that has been allowed to stand undisturbed in a home's interior plumbing. This allows the contact time necessary for leaching to occur from the lead solder and/or the lead service line to the drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Providence Water recommend that whenever water has been standing undisturbed in the pipes for long periods, such as overnight, or even during the day, that the cold water be run until it reaches its coldest temperature prior to using it for cooking or drinking purpose. This flushing removes potentially lead contaminated water from the water pipes and allows lead free water from the street to be used for consumption. As a conservation measure, the water that is flushed may be captured and used for plant watering or other non-consumption purpose. In addition to flushing, there are numerous home treatment devices on the market which claim to reduce lead in drinking water. Many do work, however, not all manufactures claims are accurate.

You may need to clean your kitchen faucet's aerator to clear out any particulates that may have accumulated.  Once the aerator screen has been cleaned out the water pressure at your sink should return to normal.

No. Discolored water is not a health threat even though it is not very appealing to drink. Even very low levels of iron can color the water.

Using hot water straight from the tap for cooking is generally not recommended. Hot water is more likely to contain dissolved metals such as iron, copper and lead, picked up from the household plumbing and hot water tank. A better idea is to allow your cold water to run for a few minutes until good and cold, then use this water for cooking and other consumption purposes. Allowing the water to run to its coldest insures adequate flushing of the home's water service line and the interior household plumbing, which have both been identified as sources of copper and lead contamination in drinking water.

Fluoride is a natural trace element found in varying amounts in almost all soils and water supplies. At optimum concentrations, fluoride has been shown to reduce dental cavities in children. In 1962, Providence Water began adding fluoride to the drinking water. The fluoride concentration in the Providence Water system is maintained at 0.7 parts per million.

For assistance, please call Providence Water at (401) 521-6300.

 In one year, the average residence uses over 100,000 gallons (indoors and outdoors).

Total hardness is defined as the sum of calcium and magnesium ion concentrations, expressed as mg/l calcium carbonate. It is the measure of the capacity of water to precipitate soap. Water that is hard will make lathering difficult or 'hard' to achieve, hence the term. Some new appliances, such as dishwashers, require set-up based upon the hardness of the water supply. At Providence Water, the hardness of the water is adjusted to a level of 40 parts per million (approx. 2.3 grains per gallon).

The average daily use of all Providence Water customers is 60.85 million gallons per day.

Providence Water recommends that you flush your water until you get clear water from the main. If it is still discolored after several minutes of flushing, you may need to wait a couple of hours until the sediment settles, and the water in the main clears. Then try flushing again. If it does not clear within a few hours, please call again. Providence Water may need to flush the main.

When the water is discolored, it is recommended to not do laundry or run the hot water (to prevent sediment getting into your hot water tank). If it is necessary to do laundry, use stain remover or a regular detergent with the wash. Use of chlorine bleach is not recommended, as this could make the situation worse.

Filtering or treating the water may remedy chronic or persistent iron-tinted water problems, however Providence Water does not endorse specific filtering devices. If you decide to use a filtration or treatment device in your home we recommend use of a National Science Foundation (NSF) listed device. In addition, we strongly recommend that the device be maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Failure to maintain this type of equipment properly may make treatment ineffective and may create the potential for contamination.

The State of Rhode Island is our largest consumer.

Iron-tinted discolored water may occur because of sediment in the pipes or rust which has built up on the inside walls of older water mains. This sediment can be disturbed and subsequently suspended in the water due to an increase or change in water flow which may be caused by water main breaks, routine maintenance, flow direction changes or the use and flushing of a nearby fire hydrant.

Failing hot water heaters in properties are also a source of discolored water. If the discoloration comes only when you run the hot water in your property, check the condition of your hot water heater. Discolored water from the cold water faucet usually signals an issue with the water mains in the street or the property’s internal plumbing.

Discolored water can be a chronic problem in areas where there are older cast iron mains. Replacement, rehabilitation and cleaning of these older mains will provide relief -- however such solutions are expensive and take time. It is important to call Providence Water when you have a chronic problem, so we can try to provide a temporary solution until the main can be renovated.

During the winter months, Providence Water's Water Quality Laboratory receives numerous telephone calls from concerned customers regarding cloudy water. Our experience has shown that the cloudiness is simply the result of excess air in the water. Under certain conditions, water is capable of becoming supersaturated with dissolved air. This is a common occurrence during the winter months of the year and is due to the ability of cold water to retain large quantities of dissolved air, which is kept in solution mainly by temperature and pressure. As the water temperature is increased and the pressure released (as in opening the faucet) the dissolved air rapidly comes out of solution, imparting a temporary, cloudy appearance to the water. The "cloudy" appearance is due to the sudden formation of tiny air bubbles which slowly rise to the top. This condition usually lasts a minute or two, after which time the water will clear. Although it is not a health hazard, entrapped air can impart an aesthetically unpleasant appearance to the water. If the consumer finds this appearance too unappetizing, a simple remedy is to fill a container with cold water and place it on the counter or in the refrigerator. Under normal pressure conditions, the air will quickly dissipate in a few minutes and the water may then be used for drinking and cooking purposes.