Water Quality
Did you know that water quality can impact the performance of the water heater?
Understanding your home’s water quality is an important way for you and your family to continue enjoying the benefits of your NB Power water heater safely. NB Power water heaters do not cause water quality issues, however water quality can have an impact on water heater performance.
Bad smells
Sometimes bacteria, sediment, minerals or natural gases find their way into the plumbing and the water heater, which can cause the water to smell differently. The following are the most common smelly water problems:
If your water has a rotten egg or sulphur smell or taste, you may have an issue with your water chemistry. The rotten egg smell happens when sulphates from groundwater and micro-organisms in your water react, and create Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) gas.
In some cases, the odour may be noticeable only when the water is first turned on or when hot water is run. Heat forces the gas into the air which may cause the odour to be more noticeable in a shower.
If the problem persists, we recommend you contact a water quality specialist to determine the correct course of action.
For a full listing of possible solutions, please contact your water quality specialist or visit the Department of Environment website.
If water smells oily it is possible that the water supply or plumbing has been contaminated with gasoline, oil or bacteria. This could mean there’s a health risk.
In rare cases, you may notice an oily smell with a new water heater. This is a reaction of the water chemistry with the new components of a water heater. This can happen with new appliances and should go away within a couple weeks with regular hot water use.
If the problem persists we recommend you contact a water quality specialist to determine the correct course of action.
If your water smells musty or like sewage, there could be iron, algae, bacteria or decaying organic matter in your plumbing and water supply. This could be a seasonal issue or a health risk.
During periods of limited use, water can become stagnant and produce these odours.
In some cases, the unpleasant smell comes from stagnant water or the presence of bacteria in a drain. If the smell is only in one room, then this may be the cause of the smell.
If the problem persists we recommend you contact a water quality specialist to determine the correct course of action.
Dirty/discoloured water
If your tap or toilet water starts to turn a rust colour (yellow, orange, brown or red,) your water may be high in iron. Water with high iron can be filtered to help ease this problem. If you are on municipal water, you can contact your local municipality for assistance.
If you’re experiencing water quality issues with well water, we recommend you contact the New Brunswick Department of Environment to book a metal scan water test to determine the proper course of action.
Helpful tips
- Test twice a year (wells)
If your home runs on well water, it’s recommended it be tested twice a year for bacteria quality and every two years for chemical quality. - Changes in appearance, taste or smell
If you’re on municipal water and notice a change in appearance, taste or smell, please contact your local municipality or water treatment facility. If you are on a well, please contact a professional water tester. - Flush the tank yearly
This can help minimize sediment and bacterial build-up in your tank. Watch this video to learn how easy it is to flush the water heater. - Never adjust the temperature
Reducing the temperature of your NB Power water heater below 60°C (140°F) can create a safety risk to you and your family, creating the possibility of bacterial outbreaks such as Legionella. It's factory set to 60°C to keep your family safe. If you think your hot water is above or below this temperature, please call us at 1 800 663-6272
What is legionella?
Legionella is a form of bacteria that can lead to Legionellosis disease. Legionella bacteria grow in water and can cause two types of illness in humans- Pontiac fever and Legionnaires’ disease.
Learn more about Legionella here.
For additional information or support see the following links:
GNB - Fact Sheet Rotten Egg Smell
GNB - How to Chlorinate Your Well
GNB - Troubleshooting for Private Wells
GNB - Where Can I Have My Well Water Tested in NB
Watch this video to learn how easy it is to flush your water heater.
