Water pipe leak?
 

I have 2 whole-house water filters, see picture, and the sediment filter gets dirty in a matter of weeks rather than months.

Is there a company that can detect leaks in the water pipe coming to the house without having to dig up the neighborhood? The water company has flushed its pipes but that hasn’t helped.

You can detect leaks between the water meter and your home. Make sure nothing in your home is using water (or turn the black shutoff valve) then see if the meter is moving. If it is then water is going somewhere.

But why do you suspect a leak? With 60+ pounds of pressure in the line a leak would cause water to flow *out* not in. A leak large enough to allow dirt in while water is flowing through would definitely show on your meter and would likely create a wet spot in your yard (or the street).

I'm confused because a water leak should not cause your potable water to become contaminated. I would suggest that you bypass the filters and have your unfiltered water tested. Also, buy a pressure gauge that will screw onto an outside hose bibb and monitor your water pressure.

Where does dirt come from?
 

Thanks for your reply. It makes sense that under pressure water would go out rather than come in. Still, where does the dirt come from?

Thanks for your input.

I would ask the company that put the filter system in or services it what they think is causing it or if it’s normal? BTW, that extension cord hanging down in the picture is hopefully connected to a GFCI? Water and electric do not mix well.

That's a good question.

It looks like there is a line coming off just above the shutoff but before the filter. Does that go somewhere like a hose bib that you can get water from? It might be worth filling a bucket with water taken before the filter to see what settles out or even having a sample analyzed for water quality.

You would think that the utility might be interested in helping to explain this but I assume you have already contacted them.

Which village do you live in? Others from that area may be able to offer more specific information.

This could be a serious safety issue. I would hire an expert as soon as possible, take a water sample to be tested, and bypass those filters.

OK, I am GUESSING the one on the right is the sediment filter, but this looks like a carbon element filter that is typically dark to begin. IMHO, I would get the finest element (non carbon) filter that I could find and use that for the sediment filter to see what happens. Also, if this is the SECOND filter in the system, I would make sure the FIRST filter is not breaking up. We have a whole house water softener and filter, and when I fill the hot tub, these are bypassed, and I have never seen ant sediment in the ~500 gallons of the hot tub.

I have lived in Pine Hills for close to 10 years and have found that each time we are short on rainfall and getting into a drought, my pre-filter has to be changed out more often than when we have more rain. I believe the aquifers get so low that more sediment is brought into our water system; hence, we need to change the pre-filters more often.

Looks like to me the first filter making the second filter discolored unless the first filter is charcoal filter and housing tented darker? I agree run bucket full in clear container see if anything floating around, if so it water supply company problem. Just cause they said the flushed pipes (did you see them?) don’t mean they done it or fix the contamination problem?

I would think Water companies would be filtering and treating water before it hits homes? At least I hope they are? Another reason I don’t drink tap water.

Thanks for your input. What you see on the right of the picture is past the filters, going into the house

Thanks for your reply, your reason for the high sediment level makes a lot of sense.

You need to tell us what Village you live in so we can give you help.

But generally, when the Villages flushes the drinking water system it will stur up sediment and you will see it in your sediment filter as per your picture.

I don't believe rainfall has anything to do with it because regardless if the Villages is pumping from the upper or lower aquifier, they are supposed to be processing and treating the drinking water which also has a limit on sediment in addition to other factors.

I also don't believe you have a leak where ground water is contaminating your drinking water. If it were you would see water coming up from the ground somewhere near your home.

Thanks for your reply. Referring to the picture, water is coming in from the left; the brown filter, which starts out white, is the sediment filter, the black, which starts out black, is the charcoal filter.

I didn't understand that, I thought it was going the other way.

In that case, I don't know how long it should take for the sediment filter to begin to show the sediment. You would hope there was none, or very little. Maybe this is actually a lot.

I would also be curious whether algae could begin to build up on a mesh surface submersed in water and exposed to sunlight. I would think the chlorine in the water would prevent that but maybe not?

I think that if you had a leak from the meter to your house, the water company would notice the high water usage and let you know. If you are worried about a leak in your house, then you have options. I found a company that detects leaks and can send you an email of a text message. It's called YOLINK from YOSMART.com. It's easy to set up and control.
I have water detectors under each sink, washer etc. I have a Yolink water shut off that will shut the water off if any leak is detected. I have a speaker hub that will tell if there is a leak and where it is. I also get email messages and text messages. I don't have any affiliation with the company, just a good product.

We live in the NW section of near Savannah Center. Have a 3 20” filter system.
Need to change the sediment filter every 3 months, the other 2 filters annually. Previous 2 houses, between 466A and 44, same system, changed sediment filter annually and it was still clear. The water company says nothing is wrong, their water is acceptable.

With a 10” filter system you should change the sediment filter more often, every 6-8 weeks , looks like the filter you have has been in there a while.

I'm wondering if someone made a mistake and crossed your non-potable (sprinkler) water into your potable water lines.

2"x10" are not meant to be used as whole house filters, also those are pleated not solid.

The micron rating is too large also resulting in bypass

You may want to consider upgrading to a triple 4.5"X 20" Nova and do annual changes

See this link

[IMG]hhttps://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/108104d1744548486-water-pipe-leak-img_0732-jpg[/IMG]One possibility is the sediment could be coming from your sprinkler system. I'm not an expert but there are instances where water can be siphoned back into your house. For example, when you are running water, water coming in the main line can create a suction effect on other lines coming off of it. That's why sprinkler systems typically have an anti-siphon valve on them. If that is the case, not only are you pulling in sediment but if you are having your lawn treated by a lawn care company you might be pulling in some chemicals with it.

Attached is a picture of my antisiphon valve. There is a shut off valve on The backside of it. You could shut off the water from the sprinkler system, Replace the filters and leave it that way for a couple days to see if you're still Getting sediment. If you're not, then your anti-siphon valve Needs to be replaced. I've replaced these before because they've frozen on me in the winter time up north. The part itself is about $100. I just take the guts out out of it and replace the ones in the existing housing. You could also call a sprinkler company and they can replace it for you if that's what it is.

Those pictures look normal to me. If the sediment filter on the left was white, then it wouldn't be doing it's job. It looks like there is iron in your water, causing the orange/brown look to the filter. It's doing what it's supposed to do. Leave it alone for 4 to 6 months and see how it looks. If there is too much sediment, it will restrict your water flow and you will notice it at your faucet. BTW, how does your water taste?

OP to all responders
 

Thanks to all of you who have responded to my original post, lots of good remarks and suggestions. I live not far from the Savannah center and I found it interesting that someone from the same area has a similar issue. The irrigation system is separate from the house water, but I will have the antisyphoning valve checked.

I do change the filter every few weeks, and the water tastes fine.

If your irrigation water is metered separately from your potable water, there is no way for that to be the issue. They are entirely separate water systems.

Ah, OK. If they're completely separate then I don't see a point of having the valve checked. Mine is hooked to my city water.

Looks like the red you are seeing on the sediment filter may be accumulated oxidized iron (rust) . I have not seen even small amounts of iron in the District water analysis report, so either my tablet's color settings are off or there is something rusting in your water feed.

I have the same issue here in Marsh Bend. water company has tested and say it's all good. they flushed water in the cup de sac planting area instead of water hydrants and it stayed white longer. Neighbor has the same system and his stays clean longer

The filter on the left appears to be clogged with iron. This could mean the system is too small, it has outlived its capacity or there is not enough chlorine in your water - according to my service techs. If you want a no cost, no obligation inspection, email me at jasonswater@yahoo.com.

Can't be chlorine. Here in the Villages the water dept. puts way too much chlorine in our water.

This is a common sediment problem here in the Villages. Just because the filter looks dirty doesn't mean it's not working. The only real way to know it to look at the pressure gauges. If there is a pressure drop, then the filter needs replacing. If not, then it's doing it's job.

After reading all of the replies, I agree you do not have a LEAK. If you have concerns about excessive sediment, try going to a pet store and getting a water test kit for aquariums or possible ACE hardware for a water hardness test kit and an iron test kit. This should provide you with some additional information. Assuming you are friendly with your neighbors, you could ask to test theirs also to see if you get the same results. If you get different results, then you will need to investigate why you are getting different results. I know several of the water treatment companies will be glad to test the water, and will provide samples proving you need new filters and the associated high pressure sales pitch, that is why I am suggesting a DIY test.

Some areas have more sediment than others. Where I live, between 466A and 44, I clean my 20”x 4.5” 5 micron pleated sediment filter every other year and there is very little to wash away. During our first couple of years, while there was still construction in the area, the filter did show more sediment. You might want to start using a pleated sediment filter that can be hosed off (don’t know if that is what you have or not) and remove it, hose it off, and put it back in when it starts looking dark. The real purpose of the sediment filter is to prevent the carbon filter from getting clogged with sediment so it can’t do its primary job of removing chlorine.

Don't you think if he had a leak that the pressure from the street would be pushing water out and not sediment in to his pipe? Also, we have had a flood of people with the same clear housing in their filter system reporting the same throughout the Villages recently.

Looks like your sediment filter is doing what it is supposed to do. Mine develops a similar appearance quickly after changing the filter. If your water pressure is not dropping, it seems ok. Of course if you notice problems with the quality of water coming out of your fixtures, then you may have an issue that should be addressed.

Looking at the Ops picture again, I like the electric extension cord dangling by the water stuff! :doh: