Water Quality Questions

My water looks cloudy. Who should I call for help? 

During regular business hours (7:00 am - 3:30 pm) call our Water Department at (330) 767-3710. After hours, please call the emergency phone line at (330) 489-1607. The Water Department handles questions and complaints regarding the odor, taste and color of water. 

What should I do if my water is discolored? 

If you experience discolored water, contact our Water Department at (330) 767-3710 during normal business hours. Provide us with as much information as possible, including time and date the problem started, location, and your best description of the problem. 

The Village of Brewster Water system has been in operation for more than 75 years. Some of our water mains are made of cast iron. Whenever the water velocity or flow direction changes from normal, iron sediment from these old mains is picked up by the water and shows up as discoloration. Incidents that can cause this include: 

Fire hydrant testing causes a temporary increase in water velocity as fire crews check hydrant operability.

Water main breaks cause a temporary increase in flow velocity and in some cases also cause a reversal in the normal flow direction of the water. 

Do I need to filter the water coming into my house? 

No. If you choose to install a filter, there are some issues to keep in mind. A water filter is like any other piece of equipment it must be maintained. If a filter is not properly maintained, it can break down and degrade your water quality. You should also be aware that if you put a filter in place, it will accumulate iron particles. There are many iron mains in our water system and the water does pick up iron sediment from these mains. Most of the time, the particles cannot be seen because they are very small and are not harmful. If you put in a filter, the iron will accumulate on your filter and will become visible.