Drinking Water FAQs

A typical residence uses 10 units of water (or 7480 gallons) per person every three months for each quarterly billing cycle. This is about 83 gallons of water per person per day, including the water used for irrigating outdoor landscaping in the summer. Residential water consumption is typically higher during warmer months and lower in the colder months. Watering lawns and using air conditioners can increase water use.

City of Ann Arbor residents can use AquaHawk, a free online tool which will help City of Ann Arbor ​water customers to:

• ​View and track water consumption​ information collected by your water meter 
• Get water alerts via email, text or phone

Please register for the new online consumption tool.  For more information, see https://www.a2gov.org/services/water-billing/water-consumption/

Water usage

If you see a spike in water you may want to look for a leak. 

Not sure where to start? Look at your water meter to see if the flow indicator is moving even if all the taps are closed. If the meter keeps moving, this indicates water is running somewhere. Look/listen for:

• faucet drips
• running water sounds 
• pools of water near the refrigerators, toilets, hot water heater, humidifiers, outside faucets and sprinklers

If you notice seasonal water use during specific periods, consider what activities may occur at these times. Higher water use typically happens with filling pools, washing cars and or humidifiers. House guests, holiday visitors and other types of special events may boost your water usage as well.​  If you have trouble paying an unusually high water bill, please call us at 734.794.6320 for options.

​Using water efficiently

Simple behaviors can save water every day: 

• turning off the tap while brushing teeth
• taking shorter showers
• run dishwashers and laundry machines only when full
• water your lawn only when necessary and avoid watering mid-day
• using drip irrigation for plants and gardens

Indoors

Consider replacing your older toilet with a low-flow model. Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators quickly reimburse you for their cost through water savings. Check EPA’s water utility auditing pages, including suggestions for WaterWise and EnergyStar appliance options to save water, energy and money.

Outdoors

Irrigation—watering lawns and gardens—can dramatically increase water usage. Consider:

• ​Watering in the early or late hours
• Watering lawn only when needed (turn off sprinklers in rainy periods)
• Reducing lawn areas, planting native species and applying mulch around plantings. 
• Allowing lawn to go dormant during heat waves or excess dry periods​. Dormant grass will rebound when cooler weather and rains return. 

You can reuse water and save money on your stormwater bill rate by using rain barrels, installing a rain garden and taking an online RiverSafe Home tutorial.

If you don’t have access to a computer at home or need more assistance, please call the Customer Service Center at 734.794.6333 during weekday business hours. An account representative will be able to help you to review your water usage report.

Cold water can hold more air than warm water, so when the pipes are cold and the water is put into a glass in your warm house, the water can no longer hold as much air. Therefore, you see the air transitioning from dissolved (in between the water molecules) to gas phase (air bubbles). Also, the water will be under pressure in your pipes, so it can hold more air. When you pour a glass of water the pressure in your room is lower. Similar to when you open a warm can of pop, the air escapes. Notice your water clears up from the bottom first as the bubbles escape out the top.

Some faucets have a screen at the tip where the water leaves the tap. This device helps to create a more consistent and softer stream of water. The state of Michigan’s guidance recommends cleaning aerators every six months. If there is construction nearby or work done on your home plumbing, then monthly checks are recommended until the work is complete. 

The aerator can be removed by unscrewing it with your fingers or with a wrench. Clean it with soap and water and vinegar to remove any particles or minerals that have built up. Michigan.gov has a picture guide on cleaning aerators on their website: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mileadsafe/Cleaning_Your_Aerators_English_661075_7.pdf 

Ann Arbor's drinking water is designed to be scale forming rather than corrosive, which means that a protective layer of scale builds on pipe walls and prevents metals from entering the drinking water. The scale is made up of a white/tan solid containing calcium carbonate. After plumbing work is done particles may break free from the protective scale and deposit in your aerator. Aerators can be removed periodically and cleaned with soap/water followed by a vinegar wash to remove any scale. Instructions for cleaning aerators with a photo guide can be found at Michigan.gov.

We post data on our website daily for basic chemical water quality measures. The calcium, alkalinity, pH, chloride, and sulfate are held in balance to allow a small amount of protective scale to form. A more detailed listing of measures summarized over the last calendar year are available on the annual water quality report.

If you notice a white scale forming in your dishwasher, you can clean it off with vinegar or use a dishwasher cleaner designed to remove limescale buildup. High hot water heater temperatures can also increase the amount of scale that forms and can increase the breakdown of rubber by chloramine. The minimum hot water heater temperature of 140 °F, with circulating hot water not falling below 120 °F, is a commonly used target suggested by the CDC.   

Ann Arbor uses chloramines as the disinfectant that keeps water safe to drink all the way to people's homes. Chloramines are not compatible with some types of rubber and will cause them to break down over time. Black particles in your aerator could be a sign of a rubber tubing or gasket in your home that needs to be replaced. Local plumbers and plumbing supply shops are typically aware of this compatibility issue. Rubber components labeled as chloramine-compatible will resist this degradation. 

Many of our pipes are made from unlined cast iron, so as they age they can rust. When there is work in your area such as hydrant flushing, a main break, or construction activities, it can disturb iron sediment from the water pipes and cause the discoloration. If this occurs, please run your cold water at the tap closest to your water meter for 10 minutes or so to clear your lines. You should also flush your toilets once or twice. The water should run clear within a few minutes but may last until the evening when the work ends and more people are home to move the rusty water out of the system.

Please don't run warm water if possible when you notice discoloration, as this forces the discolored water into the water heater, mixing it with clear stored water. If you do get rusty water in your hot water heater, drain the hot water heater per the manufacturer's instructions. If your laundry becomes discolored from the use of rusty water, products like “Rover" can help remove temporary laundry coloration.

You may notice rust or particles trapped in your aerators, which can cause taste/odor if not removed. Learn how to clean your aerator.

Iron is on EPA's list of Secondary Contaminants, which means it is an aesthetic issue in drinking water, but not a public health concern. Iron is not on EPA's list of Primary Drinking Water Regulations where EPA lists contaminants of public health concern, so the water is okay to use. That being said, please do contact us again if flushing doesn't clear up the issue by the end of the day so we can do more. You can reach us through A2fixit or by calling 734.794.6426.

Lower water pressure: Is the water pressure problem at all fixtures in the home/business?

Taste and odor can be affected by many things. The most common causes are:

Chlorine: Ann Arbor’s Water Treatment Plant uses ozone as the primary disinfectant and chloramines as a secondary disinfectant. These disinfectants are used as an alternative to chlorine treatment because they have less by-products than chlorine. In addition, chloramines have less odor than chlorine, and ozone is odorless.  Ozone is also used to reduce odors commonly detected in tap water.  However, many of the surrounding communities, including Pittsfield Township and the City of Ypsilanti, use chlorine to disinfect their water. As such, you may detect a chlorine smell when dining out or visiting friends in these communities.

What can I do? Leave a glass or pitcher of water sitting uncovered in your refrigerator or on your counter. The chlorine will dissipate in just a couple of hours.  

Musty, earthy, or grassy: The city treats its water with ozone, which is a disinfectant that also is one of the most effective treatment methods to remove taste and odor. Algae from the City’s water source (the Huron River) could make your water taste musty, earthy, or grassy, but our treatment process typically removes this issue. Musty, earthy, or grassy odor can also arise from stagnant water or odors in the sink itself such as in the aerators or drain.

What can I do? If you notice this odor, please clean out your aerators and clean your sink with bleach. For instructions on cleaning aerators, please see Cleaning Your Aerators (PDF) from the State of Michigan. Flush your cold water taps for a few minutes. If you still have the issue in a freshly cleaned glass, please call the water treatment plant at 734.794.6426 if you notice a musty, earthy, or grassy odor.

Metal: Metallic taste can come from dissolved copper or iron in pipes.

What can I do? Check your plumbing for corroding pipes and replace them. Watch for locations in your plumbing where two dissimilar metals are in contact with each other. For example, if you have a galvanized pipe directly connected to a brass valve, or a copper pipe in contact with a galvanized steel fitting, then corrosion can happen at the joint. Also, if you have your own water softener in your house, make sure you are using it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Water softeners can make your water more corrosive.

We offer one free lead and copper test per household. If you have not yet requested your test, you can do so by filling out the form on our website: https://www.a2gov.org/water-treatment-plant/about-us/lead-sample-request/

Bad tasting ice cubes: The taste may come from the ice cube trays or packaged food in your freezer. The odors from these items can be absorbed by the ice cubes. While unpleasant, these odors are not harmful.

What can I do?  Please try defrosting and cleaning out your freezer and ice cube trays.

Most sources of taste and odor problems in drinking water should not make you sick or affect the safety of your drinking water. However, if you notice a sudden change in the taste or odor of your water, please report it to the city at 734.794.6426 as a precaution.

The City of Ann Arbor performs thousands of tests a year to ensure your drinking water is of the highest quality and safety. You can see a summary of all the data for the previous calendar year in our Water Quality Report. We also have dashboards showing our most up to date data for PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, and other drinking water quality measures on our website (http://a2gov.org/DrinkingWater). 

If a customer wishes to have their water tested by a third party, they are free to do so. They should make sure the lab that conducts the test is certified for drinking water testing, otherwise the accuracy and validity of the test is suspect. They can use the Water Quality Report as a starting point to decide what testing they want more of. If there is something missing from the Water Quality Report, please contact us and we can provide you with additional data. The water quality report only includes analytes that were detected (not analytes that we tested for but did not find), so it is likely that we have data for the analytes of interest to you.  

If you are not an Ann Arbor resident and you would like your private water tested, please check out the county and the state drinking water testing websites:

https://www.washtenaw.org/1442/Drinking-Water-Testing

https://www.michigan.gov/egle/public/services/drinking-water-testing

The City of Ann Arbor employs the latest technology and applies decades of experience to ensure our customers drinking water is of the highest quality. If there is something specific to be achieved, a home filter system might be warranted, for taste, for example. In the end, the purchase of home treatment systems are a personal choice. City staff, who are not motivated by profit or sales, are available to offer advice or assistance on any drinking water issue.

Water softeners: If you decide to install a water softener, please follow the manufacturer instructions. Also, please watch for signs of corrosion of your own plumbing. Water softeners can make your water corrosive. If you have lead components in your household plumbing (such as brass faucets installed before 2014 that may contain lead or lead solder installed with copper pipes), adding a water softener can cause corrosion of lead components and elevated lead levels.

Filters: If you are considering installing your own point of use filter, please consider the following.

• Before you install a filter, look at our annual water quality report to determine if the contaminant you are concerned about is in our drinking water. The report does not show all contaminants we monitor for if the contaminant is undetected. Therefore, if there is a contaminant you care about that is missing from the report then please contact us at water@a2gov.org for more information.
• Lead and copper are the most common contaminants of concern that could change as the water travels to your house. Lead can also be found in household plumbing. For more information on lead in drinking water or to request a free lead and copper test visit www.a2gov.org/lcr.
• Filters are built and certified to remove specific contaminants, not all contaminants. Make sure the filter you select is NSF certified to remove the contaminant you are worried about.
• Iron concentrations can also change as the water travels through pipes. Iron is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of Secondary Drinking Water Regulations, which is for contaminants with cosmetic or aesthetic effects but are not a public health concern. If your cold water is visibly yellow with iron and flushing cold water for a few minutes doesn’t clear it, please call us so we can work with you to troubleshoot the problem.
• Ann Arbor Water already filters the water as part of the treatment process.  Come and see our filters in action during our annual open house in May or request a group tour.  You can also read about our treatment process and get information about water quality on our website.
• If you see white precipitate or residue on your fixtures or sinks, do not be alarmed. Part of our corrosion control strategy is to ensure our water forms a small amount of white residue on pipe surfaces rather than being corrosive to your pipes. This residue can be cleaned from fixtures easily with vinegar.

If you have further questions or are concerned about your water quality, please contact us at water@a2gov.org.

Business owners should ensure that any existing water fountain and water bottle filling station filters are replaced regularly and​ maintained according to manufacturer instructions. Consider flushing out the pipes to remove water that has sat stagnant in the building for long periods of time.

This pink residue is not caused by bacteria in the city’s drinking water but is caused by the growth of an airborne bacterium called Serratia marcescens or commonly referred to as bathroom mold. Construction and remodeling activities can stir up dust and other airborne particles carrying the Serratia bacteria. Open windows can allow airborne bacteria into a house. As a moist and warm environment, a bathroom is a place where bacteria can thrive. The recommended cleaning method is scrubbing the area with bleach and allowing the area to thoroughly dry.

Imagine this scenario: Someone sprays a commercial weed killer on there lawn by using a hose attachment. Afterwards they disconnect the applicator and takes a drink of water from the hose. A short time later they are admitted to the emergency room with symptoms of poisoning. What happened? At some time while the person was spraying the weed killer, water pressure dropped, which resulted in the poison being sucked back into the hose. Later, when they drank from the hose, the poison inside was released with the water.

How do you protect yourself from backflow situations?

First, keep all hoses and faucets away from direct contact with possible contaminants. Never submerge hoses​ in buckets, pools, tubs, or sinks. In the event of loss of water pressure, you need an air gap; otherwise, the hose will act like a straw and suck the liquid backwards.

Second, protect yourself by installing inexpensive backflow protection devices on all hoses and threaded faucets in your home. These devices are available at hardware and home improvement stores for about $4-10 each. Backflow vacuum breakers provide safety valves that prevent liquids from flowing backwards into a hose or faucet.

Specialized backflow prevention devices are available for more elaborate installations such as built-in lawn irrigation sprinklers, hot water boilers, in-ground swimming pools, heat exchangers, active solar heating systems, private wells. Devices are also available for specialized commercial locations such as dry cleaners, car washes, laboratories, and manufacturers. Backflow devices ensure that potentially contaminated water cannot be drawn back into the public water supply from a business or residence in the event of a negative water main pressure situation. If you receive a letter from the Water Utility informing you that a device is due for certification and inspection, please respond as quickly as possible. ​Proper maintenance of backflow prevention devices require a periodic certification, followed by a City of Ann Arbor inspection.

​For more information on specialized backflow requirements, contact either a plumber certified on backflow prevention devices, or the City of Ann Arbor Customer Service Center at 734.794.6333.