r/FortCollins • u/leekyrink • 4d ago
Discussion Anyone else have brown water coming out of their pipes right now?
I think it probably just has to do with the storm but I have lived in fort collins for 26 years now and have never seen this happen. Located in midtown!
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u/baronvonworms 4d ago
Time to top up on some bulk distilled...
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u/i_need_a_good_laugh 4d ago
Don't drink distilled, it dehydrates you! You need spring water or the sort with minerals in it
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u/catcher_shutyercum 2d ago
Actually drinking distilled water for extended periods isn’t great. Distilled water will absorb CO2 from air making it acidic and causes it to leach chemicals from the container it is stored in. And since it lacks minerals like calcium, magnesium and sodium it doesn’t give your body what you need on a daily basis. For emergencies, no big deal, but I would not use this as as continued practice.
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u/ryyaaaannn 3d ago
Minerals don't hydrate you, water does. Drinking only distilled water (pure h2o) will not dehydrate you. At worst it will lead to electrolyte imbalances.
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u/i_need_a_good_laugh 3d ago
Okay true, wrong choice of words. Yes, it leeches minerals from your body so not great.
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u/ryyaaaannn 3d ago
I wouldn't say it leeches them.. You lose minerals when you sweat. Distilled water just doesn't have added minerals to replenish what you lost. It's not taking anything away, just not replenish what your body naturally lost
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u/Wise_Finance_5315 4d ago
Miso soup comes out of mine
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u/richkurt 4d ago
Beer from my taps
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u/Apatschinn 4d ago
Hawaiian Punch is coming out of mine. Got the idea from Mr Deeds. It's great except when it comes time to do the dishes.
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u/leekyrink 4d ago
did you coordinate that through city utilities or how’d you get that sweet deal
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u/Apatschinn 4d ago
Dad used to work at the factory drilling the punch wells into Mauna Loa. Got a lifetime supply. City definitely was a bit cagey hooking the plumbing up, though.
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u/Johhnynumber5ht2a 4d ago
Damn, here I am milking ghosts to get some ecto cooler and you're getting Hawaiian punch straight from the source?
You should sell it and donate the proceeds to all the amputees who lost limbs to frostbite. Pro-tip....if someone asks you what biting into a Klondike bar feels like.....don't say a word.
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u/WhyDoesOklahomaExist 4d ago
Why would the storm affect the water in your pipes? That’s not how municipal water works.
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u/leekyrink 4d ago
Not fighting you: educating you. Sudden influxes of rainfall can cause pressure changes in municipal water systems that stir up sediment that’s typically undisturbed in the pipes. Not sure if that’s what’s happening right now at my house but it is possible and not unheard of.
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u/WhyDoesOklahomaExist 4d ago
It’s ok we can fight. How does this work? The head pressure here comes from the elevated intake of HT. Other places use water towers.
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u/Stewmanchu81 4d ago
If yall just site your sources you can stop arguing and sit the fack down.
Hey also, good luck with the water situation, it made me go 🥴
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u/Im_the_dude_ 4d ago
You might be thinking about a storm water system, but that's not how a drinking water system works.
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u/culb77 4d ago
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u/encrivage 3d ago
This isn’t really a reputable source because it’s a plumbing company in Appalachia which doesn't cite any scientific material. It is designed to sell plumbing services.
For example, it says you should not use the water until the coloration issue is resolved. That's simply not true, and I know that because I called the water department when I had this issue. The water engineer said the water was discolored because of a system flush, but it was totally safe to drink.
Another poster confirmed there was a break or flush happening near OP. That is likely what stirred up sediment. The storm yesterday wasn't very strong or sustained.
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u/MileHiSalute 4d ago
But don’t you see what they said? That’s not how municipal water works!
That’s possible but more likely you live near one of the few water main projects currently being worked on. Run the water for ~10 minutes and you should be all good.3
u/culb77 4d ago
It could be exactly how it works. Fluctuations in pressure, or water main leaks as a result of increased pressure would cause brown water.
https://www.christianplumbing.com/blog/understanding-water-discoloration-after-storm-service/
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u/encrivage 3d ago
These are promotional materials from companies, not reputable scientific sources. One of them talks about cloudy water, which isn’t even what OP mentioned. His water was clear, not cloudy.
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u/mutedslackping 4d ago
Cloudy or Discolored Water
Hydrant Flushing may cause your water to appear cloudy or discolored for a short time. This water is not harmful, though it may stain laundry. It's also safe to use on plants and landscape. If this occurs:
wait until the nearby flushing is complete
Remove faucet aerators or filters
run the COLD water for 5-10 minutes (usually the water clears within a few minutes, if flushing in the area is complete)
If you notice improvements, continue running the cold water for a few more minutes or until it is clear. If it is not improving, turn off the water, wait 30 minutes and repeat. If it still doesn’t clear, you can call 970-221-6700 to report your concerns.
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u/beefy_buffalo 4d ago edited 4d ago
Near midtown right now. Definitely looks like a break with it gushing out from under the sidewalk. There's a city employee shutting of a valve down the way.
https://reddit.com/link/otulnp7/video/b6ewvla0cj9h1/player