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.