Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the water in the Town of Milton meets or exceeds all state standards and is tested weekly.

The water contains air. This is a common problem after a water main break or a disruption of water service. Running the tap water from each faucet for a short period of time usually will clear it up.

There is a small amount of iron in the water and it becomes noticeable when it comes in contact with the air. There is no health risk from the discoloration. Very often after disruption of service the problem increases. We recommend running the cold water tap for a few minutes at a time until the water clears. If you are experiencing discolored water, avoid using your hot water as the rust can get into your hot water tank and discolor clothing in your washing machine. If you do experience rust in laundry, please contact us and we will provide you with a chemical agent to remove the rust.

The water coming into your home from the water mains is cold. If you are having discoloration only in the hot water it is a problem within your plumbing system and you need to contact a plumber.

It is rare that water meters malfunction. The new meters recently installed were all tested prior to installation and are accurately registering water flowing through them. Water meters are mechanical and in most cases will slow with age rather than speed up. The new meters are equipped with leak indicators, a small blue dial on the face of the meter, if this is moving when nothing is supposed to be running in the home there may be a leak that should be investigated. If your bill is excessively high, consider having the house checked for leaks by our technician or a plumber.

Water and Sewer bills are issued based on consumption. With the new meters we will be able to eliminate estimates and you will be billed based on actual usage. When comparing your bill with a neighbor keep in mind everyone’s habits are different. The same size family, with the same size house, etc, will have different consumption as one family may do more laundry, take longer showers, leave the water running while shaving or brushing teeth or doing dishes. Other factors such as water saving appliances, and conservation efforts will also make a difference in consumption.

Some leaks are obvious, a dripping faucet, a toilet running (where you have to “jiggle” the handle), but others are more hidden. The easiest way to check is to read your water meter, wait an hour or two (be sure no one in the house uses water) and read the meter again, if the reading has changed there is a leak. To check for a “silent” leak in a toilet, put a few drops of food coloring into the tank, do not flush, wait 30 minutes, check the bowl, if any of the color has seeped into the bowl there is a problem with the seal and you should contact your plumber. Remember your water meter will move with any water usage and even small leaks can add up on your bill.

No. However, all bills are charged at a discounted minimum rate for water and for sewer consumptions 0-600 cubic feet, quarterly.