Why is the water coming into my house sometimes discolored?
Breaks in water mains and fire hydrant flushing cause the water’s velocity to increase dramatically. When this flow increases, rust particles from within the mains can be picked up and carried by the water into your house, thus discoloring the water.

If your water is discolored, please be assured it is safe to drink. However, we do not recommend doing laundry in it until it clears up, as clothes could become stained. Generally, if you let the water run for 5-15 minutes, it will clear up on its own.

Why do I need to know where my inside shut-off valve is?
It is important that you know where your inside shut-off valve is so in case there is a leak or break in your plumbing system, you will be able to turn the water off quickly.

Shut-off valves are typically located in a crawl space, basement, or at least the bottom floor of the building. If you are unable to locate it, please call us and we will assist you.

Who owns and is responsible for the water and sewer service lines on my property?
Each homeowner is responsible for the water and sewer service lines on his or her property. These are the lines that extend from the water or sewer main and service a home or building.

Why does Mount Werner Water constantly work at clearing snow and other debris from fire hydrants?
We work hard at maintaining the areas surrounding hydrants because the hydrants are necessary for fire prevention.

With over 420 hydrants in our district, it is sometimes hard to ensure all are clear of snow and other debris. If there is a fire hydrant near your home or business, please help keep it clear so that it can be located quickly in case it is needed.

Why do I see a lot of irrigation systems on while it's raining?
Because most sprinkler systems are on timers, many people forget to turn them off when it rains.

We would like to encourage you to install a rain sensor that will interrupt sprinkler operation during rainfall and also to monitor current weather conditions so you know when to turn your sprinklers on and off. The water you conserve will save you money!

Why do you flush fire hydrants?
Hydrants are flushed for two reasons: One, to make sure they are in proper working condition for fire protection and two, to help maintain the water supply in the mains. Even the best water will get stale if not used enough and by flushing we are maintaining a fresh water supply by getting rid of any fine sediment that may have settled.

How is my water usage measured?
Mount Werner Water's water meters register usage in cubic meters. One cubic meter equals approximately 264.23 gallons.

Is it safe to drink water from existing water supplies such as lakes, streams, and reservoirs?
No. Hikers and backpackers should not drink untreated water from any of these sources, no matter how clean they look. These waters may contain Giardia, Crytosporidium, and other pathogens, bacteria, or viruses.

There are two ways to purify your water while in the backcountry: 1. Utilize a water purification filter (available at most sporting good stores) or 2. Boil the water for a minimum of three minutes. This should kill any possible contaminates.

How much water storage does Mount Werner Water have?
Mount Werner Water has over 5.8 million gallons of water storage within the city of Steamboat Springs.

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