News Article

Archived News Release: October 1, 2024 - ​Thank you to everyone who attended the A2ZERO Green Fair on Friday, Sept. 20. Hundreds of attendees visited with local exhibitors to learn innovative ways to live sustainably, take climate action and protect our water resources. Answers to the most frequent questions Ann Arbor Water staff received are below:

• 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 [email protected] 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 questions or are concerned about your water quality, please contact us at [email protected].