FAQs
What should I do if I experience an interruption of service?
Call SCWA – interruptions may be caused by main breaks, maintenance on mains, temporary demands caused by firefighting requirements or frozen lines.
Why do the SCWA employees open fire hydrants?
We conduct regular water system flushing to remove any mineral build up and sediment from pipes and to ensure that water circulates adequately throughout the system.
Why is dirt and sand in my water?
Dirt or sand can occur naturally in ground water or as a result of a water line repair. We try to reduce the instances of dirt or sand in the water through regular flushing, which improves water quality by increasing the circulation of water in the lines and removes most of the sediment from the water.
Why does my water appear milky or cloudy?
A milky or cloudy appearance is usually caused by air bubbles in the water, which poses no health risk. If the water is allowed to sit for a short period, the air will dissipate and the water will clear up. If the cloudiness does not disappear, please contact the SCWA.
What causes odor in my hot water?
The most common cause of odor in hot water is the water heater. If your cold water smells fine, check your water heater to ensure that the temperature setting is correct.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept checks, money orders and cash of course. We now accept most major credit cards with Nexbillpay either online, by phone or in the office. Please note that no payments will be accepted by phone on the 4th and 5th of each month. Payments can also be set up on a monthly bank draft. Please call for details.
Where or who do I call to report water Main leaks?
If you discover a water line leak out in the rural area of the county and you're not sure if the line is owned by SCWA. Call us anyway we will determine who maintains the line and pass the information on if necessary. (205) 652-9394. For afterhours emergencies please call (205) 499-8825 or (205) 499-6005.
Call SCWA – interruptions may be caused by main breaks, maintenance on mains, temporary demands caused by firefighting requirements or frozen lines.
Why do the SCWA employees open fire hydrants?
We conduct regular water system flushing to remove any mineral build up and sediment from pipes and to ensure that water circulates adequately throughout the system.
Why is dirt and sand in my water?
Dirt or sand can occur naturally in ground water or as a result of a water line repair. We try to reduce the instances of dirt or sand in the water through regular flushing, which improves water quality by increasing the circulation of water in the lines and removes most of the sediment from the water.
Why does my water appear milky or cloudy?
A milky or cloudy appearance is usually caused by air bubbles in the water, which poses no health risk. If the water is allowed to sit for a short period, the air will dissipate and the water will clear up. If the cloudiness does not disappear, please contact the SCWA.
What causes odor in my hot water?
The most common cause of odor in hot water is the water heater. If your cold water smells fine, check your water heater to ensure that the temperature setting is correct.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept checks, money orders and cash of course. We now accept most major credit cards with Nexbillpay either online, by phone or in the office. Please note that no payments will be accepted by phone on the 4th and 5th of each month. Payments can also be set up on a monthly bank draft. Please call for details.
Where or who do I call to report water Main leaks?
If you discover a water line leak out in the rural area of the county and you're not sure if the line is owned by SCWA. Call us anyway we will determine who maintains the line and pass the information on if necessary. (205) 652-9394. For afterhours emergencies please call (205) 499-8825 or (205) 499-6005.
Water Saving Tips
- To detect silent leaks in your toilet tank – you can put vegetable dye or pour left over coffee from your coffee pot into the tank (not the toilet bowl). Let the water sit for a few hours and then check to see if the water in the toilet bowl is discolored. If it is, you have a silent leak!
- Toilets that run periodically indicate a leaking toilet flapper or valve system, repair it or get it repaired immediately.
- A small drip from your faucet can waste more 50 gallons of water per day.
- Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons of water or more per day.
- A constantly running toilet can waste more than 200 gallons of water each day. Toilets are notorious for hidden leaks; they are the greatest cause for customer complaints of high water bills.
- A leaky faucet or showerhead that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year.