Hi,

I'm driven a bit demented by this problem. I have had the rising main
checked for leakage, and was told there wasn't one by a leak detector,
and he was fairly adamant about it. The neighbours don't seem to have
this problem, but it is ruining our water quality inside the house.
Basically, in every glass of water you pour from the mains kitchen
tap, it contains some small dark particles. I know these are soil
particles, as every few months I have to clean out the attic tank of
settled mud when it accumulates. Showering is always bad, and makes
your skin feel horrible, its like you can feel the soil contained in
the water drying your skin...

The house I live in is 30 years old, black plastic rising main. I
notice that when I run the water right through the system very
quickly, it is much better. I've tried everything, even whole house
water filters, which were a complete disaster. The water took a brief
turn for the better though when the aforementioned leak detector guy
was here and turned off the outside stopcock briefly, and then back on
again... for the next few days the water felt so much nicer, and
looked cleaner. Could soil be pulled in from the outside stopcock
somehow? I checked it the other day and its completely covered in dirt
and other crap, but I don't know if this is a real possibility.

The county council just keep telling me, "Oh yeah, if there is
building or roadworks going on near you, then some sediment can flow
into the water.." When I tell them its been going on for years, they
haven't a clue, no help whatsoever... Can anyone offer enlightenment/
advice? Cheers.

Hi,

I'm driven a bit demented by this problem. I have had the rising main
checked for leakage, and was told there wasn't one by a leak detector,
and he was fairly adamant about it. The neighbours don't seem to have
this problem, but it is ruining our water quality inside the house.
Basically, in every glass of water you pour from the mains kitchen
tap, it contains some small dark particles. I know these are soil
particles, as every few months I have to clean out the attic tank of
settled mud when it accumulates. Showering is always bad, and makes
your skin feel horrible, its like you can feel the soil contained in
the water drying your skin...

The house I live in is 30 years old, black plastic rising main. I
notice that when I run the water right through the system very
quickly, it is much better. I've tried everything, even whole house
water filters, which were a complete disaster. The water took a brief
turn for the better though when the aforementioned leak detector guy
was here and turned off the outside stopcock briefly, and then back on
again... for the next few days the water felt so much nicer, and
looked cleaner. Could soil be pulled in from the outside stopcock
somehow? I checked it the other day and its completely covered in dirt
and other crap, but I don't know if this is a real possibility.

The county council just keep telling me, "Oh yeah, if there is
building or roadworks going on near you, then some sediment can flow
into the water.." When I tell them its been going on for years, they
haven't a clue, no help whatsoever... Can anyone offer enlightenment/
advice? Cheers.

If the water company hasn't taken samples for chemical analysis then they
should do so. This will confirm whether this really is soil or is some other
contaminant.

If the water company hasn't taken samples for chemical analysis then they
should do so. This will confirm whether this really is soil or is some other
contaminant.


I live in Dublin, where there aren't any water charges, and it is
therefore regulated by the county council, who are bellends
unfortunately. They will only test for serious pathogens really, like
E-Coli etc. I've lived elsewhere in the city (even nearby here for a
while) and never had the slightest concerns with the supply. Its just
frustrating that I can't turn to anybody who properly regulates this
here.

"None" wrote:
I live in Dublin, where there aren't any water charges, and it is
therefore regulated by the county council, who are bellends
unfortunately. They will only test for serious pathogens really, like
E-Coli etc. I've lived elsewhere in the city (even nearby here for a
while) and never had the slightest concerns with the supply. Its just
frustrating that I can't turn to anybody who properly regulates this
here.

In that case all I can suggest is that you send samples to a laboratory and
pay for analysis and a report. Until you know precisely what these
contaminants are then I don't see how you can know the source and therefore
who is liable. You need to find out whether the water is arriving at your
property contaminated, or whether the water is being contaminated on your
property. If the former then presumably the county council is liable, if the
latter then you will be liable.

On 21 Apr, 12:59, None wrote:
Hi,

I'm driven a bit demented by this problem. I have had the rising main
checked for leakage, and was told there wasn't one by a leak detector,
and he was fairly adamant about it. The neighbours don't seem to have
this problem, but it is ruining our water quality inside the house.
Basically, in every glass of water you pour from the mains kitchen
tap, it contains some small dark particles. I know these are soil
particles, as every few months I have to clean out the attic tank of
settled mud when it accumulates. Showering is always bad, and makes
your skin feel horrible, its like you can feel the soil contained in
the water drying your skin...

The house I live in is 30 years old, black plastic rising main. I
notice that when I run the water right through the system very
quickly, it is much better. I've tried everything, even whole house
water filters, which were a complete disaster. The water took a brief
turn for the better though when the aforementioned leak detector guy
was here and turned off the outside stopcock briefly, and then back on
again... for the next few days the water felt so much nicer, and
looked cleaner. Could soil be pulled in from the outside stopcock
somehow? I checked it the other day and its completely covered in dirt
and other crap, but I don't know if this is a real possibility.

The county council just keep telling me, "Oh yeah, if there is
building or roadworks going on near you, then some sediment can flow
into the water.." When I tell them its been going on for years, they
haven't a clue, no help whatsoever... Can anyone offer enlightenment/
advice? Cheers.

The water in your mains is at high pressure. Any leakage would be
outwards. Soil particles could not get into a pressured pipe unless
the pressure was turned off, the soil enters the pipe through the
leak, the pressure is turned on again and the soil would go up the
pipe. Maybe there's is a Leprechaun keeps turning the water off while
your back is turned? Only joking, my regards to one of the countries
and people I love. Keep the place dry for my next visit to Kerry.

On 21 Apr, 15:02, Merryterry wrote:
On 21 Apr, 12:59, None wrote:



Hi,

I'm driven a bit demented by this problem. I have had the rising main
checked for leakage, and was told there wasn't one by a leak detector,
and he was fairly adamant about it. The neighbours don't seem to have
this problem, but it is ruining our water quality inside the house.
Basically, in every glass of water you pour from the mains kitchen
tap, it contains some small dark particles. I know these are soil
particles, as every few months I have to clean out the attic tank of
settled mud when it accumulates. Showering is always bad, and makes
your skin feel horrible, its like you can feel the soil contained in
the water drying your skin...

The house I live in is 30 years old, black plastic rising main. I
notice that when I run the water right through the system very
quickly, it is much better. I've tried everything, even whole house
water filters, which were a complete disaster. The water took a brief
turn for the better though when the aforementioned leak detector guy
was here and turned off the outside stopcock briefly, and then back on
again... for the next few days the water felt so much nicer, and
looked cleaner. Could soil be pulled in from the outside stopcock
somehow? I checked it the other day and its completely covered in dirt
and other crap, but I don't know if this is a real possibility.

The county council just keep telling me, "Oh yeah, if there is
building or roadworks going on near you, then some sediment can flow
into the water.." When I tell them its been going on for years, they
haven't a clue, no help whatsoever... Can anyone offer enlightenment/
advice? Cheers.

The water in your mains is at high pressure. Any leakage would be
outwards. Soil particles could not get into a pressured pipe unless
the pressure was turned off, the soil enters the pipe through the
leak, the pressure is turned on again and the soil would go up the
pipe. Maybe there's is a Leprechaun keeps turning the water off while
your back is turned? Only joking, my regards to one of the countries
and people I love. Keep the place dry for my next visit to Kerry.


What you say makes sense, but what if the water pressure inside the
house changes, for example, when a toilet is flushed or something,
then at that moment, the soil could find its way back into the pipe?
Because every single glass I pour these days contains it... On top of
that, the water out of the bathroom taps is generally pretty green;
disgusting. All this must be linked, how I don't know. Kerry is a
grand old place, but its people are the butt of legendary jokes.

On 2007-04-21 15:19:07 +0100, None said:

What you say makes sense, but what if the water pressure inside the
house changes, for example, when a toilet is flushed or something,
then at that moment, the soil could find its way back into the pipe?

No because the main is still under positive pressure. If it weren't,
the toilet cistern would never fill.



Because every single glass I pour these days contains it... On top of
that, the water out of the bathroom taps is generally pretty green;
disgusting. All this must be linked, how I don't know.

It may or may not be. The black particles may be from the insides of
the pipe, or the filtration is not working properly at the water works
- it's probably the former.

Drinking tap water is a bad idea anywhere.

Kerry is a
grand old place, but its people are the butt of legendary jokes.

I did read one true story of a Kerry man of agricultural occupation,
who insisted on going to mass every Sunday morning, with his family
using a horse and cart. What with the dirt and the discomfort as she
became older, his wife eventually pushed for buying a car in which to
go to church.

A brand new Ford Escort was duly purchased. There was one small
problem. Neither of them could drive.

The solution was that the engine was removed and modification made to
the front bodywork such that a suitable arrangement could be fitted to
attach to the horse. This was perfect. The wife went to church in
the car, and the farmer rode the horse as he always had.

I don't suppose that they worried about their water supply too much.

It may or may not be. The black particles may be from the insides of
the pipe, or the filtration is not working properly at the water works
- it's probably the former.

I thought of that, but if that's the case, wouldn't parts of it be
disintegrated by now? We also get a lot of dirt accumulating in the
attic tank over a few months, and yes there is a lid over it. This
dirt is definitely soil. The water can have a completely different
quality to it if I pull out the washing machine connection and drain
it into the sink for a few minutes, for a few days after that it feels
much better. Have no idea why this is the case.

I don't suppose that they worried about their water supply too much.


Well they wouldn't would they?

In message .com, None
writes
This
dirt is definitely soil. The water can have a completely different
quality to it if I pull out the washing machine connection and drain
it into the sink for a few minutes, for a few days after that it feels
much better. Have no idea why this is the case.


What makes you think it is soil? Soil is made up of many things both
rock and organic, I'm no expert as you can probably tell, but if it was
from the ground I would expect a noticeable quantity of grit in the
storage tank at least.
I have no idea what it would cost but maybe take some of the sediment
from the tank and have it analysed, Have you tried asking your water
company to do this rather than just testing a water sample?
--
Bill

On 2007-04-21 15:56:31 +0100, None said:

It may or may not be. The black particles may be from the insides of
the pipe, or the filtration is not working properly at the water works
- it's probably the former.

I thought of that, but if that's the case, wouldn't parts of it be
disintegrated by now?

Could be...


We also get a lot of dirt accumulating in the
attic tank over a few months, and yes there is a lid over it. This
dirt is definitely soil.

What happens if you collect some of this and leave it out to dry?

If it were iron particles from the pipe, one would expect them to go rusty.

If it's soil, perhaps it entered the main at some point following a
water main burst and repair? Is the soil in the area naturally black
once you dog down say half a metre?


The water can have a completely different
quality to it if I pull out the washing machine connection and drain
it into the sink for a few minutes, for a few days after that it feels
much better. Have no idea why this is the case.

Because you are flushing out the crap.

You could put a particulate filter in line with the main and empty that
periodically.

Have you asked people in the area whether they have the same problem?



I don't suppose that they worried about their water supply too much.


Well they wouldn't would they?

None wrote:

What you say makes sense, but what if the water pressure inside the
house changes, for example, when a toilet is flushed or something,
then at that moment, the soil could find its way back into the pipe?
Because every single glass I pour these days contains it... On top of
that, the water out of the bathroom taps is generally pretty green;
disgusting. All this must be linked, how I don't know.

Doesn't the fact that that the bathroom water is also manky, but a
different sort of manky, suggest that whole problem derives from factors
inside the house, rather than the incoming water quality?

What is your neighbour's water like? If their's is OK, then again it
makes it much more likely to be your problem rather than the water
company's.

David

None wrote:


What you say makes sense, but what if the water pressure inside the
house changes, for example, when a toilet is flushed or something,
then at that moment, the soil could find its way back into the pipe?
Because every single glass I pour these days contains it... On top of
that, the water out of the bathroom taps is generally pretty green;
disgusting. All this must be linked, how I don't know. Kerry is a
grand old place, but its people are the butt of legendary jokes.


Then you probably have copper oxides (black, insoluble) and carbonates
(green., slightly soluble) in the system somewhere.

Probably your internal pipework is crapping on you.

On Sat, 21 Apr 2007 04:59:45 -0700, None wrote:

Hi,

I'm driven a bit demented by this problem. I have had the rising main
checked for leakage, and was told there wasn't one by a leak detector, and
he was fairly adamant about it. The neighbours don't seem to have this
problem, but it is ruining our water quality inside the house. Basically,
in every glass of water you pour from the mains kitchen tap, it contains
some small dark particles. I know these are soil particles, as every few
months I have to clean out the attic tank of settled mud when it
accumulates. Showering is always bad, and makes your skin feel horrible,
its like you can feel the soil contained in the water drying your skin...

The house I live in is 30 years old, black plastic rising main. I notice
that when I run the water right through the system very quickly, it is
much better. I've tried everything, even whole house water filters, which
were a complete disaster. The water took a brief turn for the better
though when the aforementioned leak detector guy was here and turned off
the outside stopcock briefly, and then back on again... for the next few
days the water felt so much nicer, and looked cleaner. Could soil be
pulled in from the outside stopcock somehow? I checked it the other day
and its completely covered in dirt and other crap, but I don't know if
this is a real possibility.

The county council just keep telling me, "Oh yeah, if there is building or
roadworks going on near you, then some sediment can flow into the water.."
When I tell them its been going on for years, they haven't a clue, no help
whatsoever... Can anyone offer enlightenment/ advice? Cheers.

================================
It would appear that the problem lies in your own pipework (your black
plastic rising main) judging by your own experience of the local supply at
another close location. I would suggest that you fit a temporary supply by
teeing into the existing main (on your side of the stopcock)as close to
the stopcock as you can get. Use this as a standpipe for drinking water
and see how it compares with the original supply.

If this confirms that your pipework is at fault then you'll need to
replace it.

Cic.

--
================================
Testing UBUNTU Linux
Windows shown the door
================================

"None" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I'm driven a bit demented by this problem. I have had the rising main
checked for leakage, and was told there wasn't one by a leak detector,
and he was fairly adamant about it. The neighbours don't seem to have
this problem, but it is ruining our water quality inside the house.
Basically, in every glass of water you pour from the mains kitchen
tap, it contains some small dark particles. I know these are soil
particles, as every few months I have to clean out the attic tank of
settled mud when it accumulates. Showering is always bad, and makes
your skin feel horrible, its like you can feel the soil contained in
the water drying your skin...

The house I live in is 30 years old, black plastic rising main. I
notice that when I run the water right through the system very
quickly, it is much better. I've tried everything, even whole house
water filters, which were a complete disaster. The water took a brief
turn for the better though when the aforementioned leak detector guy
was here and turned off the outside stopcock briefly, and then back on
again... for the next few days the water felt so much nicer, and
looked cleaner. Could soil be pulled in from the outside stopcock
somehow? I checked it the other day and its completely covered in dirt
and other crap, but I don't know if this is a real possibility.

The county council just keep telling me, "Oh yeah, if there is
building or roadworks going on near you, then some sediment can flow
into the water.." When I tell them its been going on for years, they
haven't a clue, no help whatsoever... Can anyone offer enlightenment/
advice? Cheers.

Change *ALL* of your tap washers and ballvalve washers
Also inform the local council EHO and suggest you are being poisoned by the
contaminants

On 21 Apr 2007 04:59:45 -0700, None wrote:

I have had the rising main checked for leakage, and was told there
wasn't one by a leak detector, and he was fairly adamant about it.

What did he use to detect any leakage, how old was he?

The neighbours don't seem to have this problem,
snip
Basically, in every glass of water you pour from the mains kitchen
tap, it contains some small dark particles. I know these are soil
particles, as every few months I have to clean out the attic tank of
settled mud when it accumulates.

Depending on where you water comes from this "mud" may be in the supply
and not related to the "small dark particles". The latter would not for a
"mud" when enmasse in my book, they form a fine grit or gravel.

I've tried everything, even whole house water filters, which were a
complete disaster.

What happened?

The water took a brief turn for the better though when the
aforementioned leak detector guy was here and turned off the outside
stopcock briefly, and then back on again... for the next few days the
water felt so much nicer, and looked cleaner. Could soil be pulled in
from the outside stopcock somehow?

Despite what other say about positive pressure muck can and does get drawn
into pipewok through leaks. I think the mechanisium is due to the
momentary negative pressure when you start to draw water off. Water has
mass thus interia and resistance to flow due to friction in the pipe.

I checked it the other day and its completely covered in dirt
and other crap, but I don't know if this is a real possibility.

Well the obvious thing to do is to wash down your stop cock and see if the
problem improves.

My view is that the "mud" is normal for your supply and the "small dark
particles" are a local problem, prehaps the break up of a washer (likely)
or the black rising main (unlikley). The fact that your neighbours don't
show the "small dark particles" and that flushing the pipework through
improves things really does indicate something local.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

None wrote:

Basically, in every glass of water you pour from the mains kitchen
tap, it contains some small dark particles. I know these are soil
particles,

Hmm, I doubt it.

Have you tried waving a magnet at these small black particles? I have
the same problem with water supplied via the public water main to a
farmhouse. The particles in my case are attracted by a magnet and are
iron oxide particles from the water main. So we installed a filter and a
magnetic trap which removes the particles.

On Sun, 22 Apr 2007 18:27:58 +0100, (Steve Firth)
wrote:

|!None wrote:
|!
|! Basically, in every glass of water you pour from the mains kitchen
|! tap, it contains some small dark particles. I know these are soil
|! particles,
|!
|!Hmm, I doubt it.
|!
|!Have you tried waving a magnet at these small black particles? I have
|!the same problem with water supplied via the public water main to a
|!farmhouse. The particles in my case are attracted by a magnet and are
|!iron oxide particles from the water main. So we installed a filter and a
|!magnetic trap which removes the particles.

The iron pipes which *brought* me my water are long gone I watched them
being removed. Everything is copper or blue plastic now, much better :-)

OP being in Dublin Ireland, maybe has not had this advantage.
--
Dave Fawthrop sf hyphenologist.co.uk 165 *Free* SF ebooks.
165 Sci Fi books on CDROM, from Project Gutenberg
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page Completely Free to any
address in the UK. Contact me on the *above* email address.