What would cause city water to turn things pink?

Question

What does the city add to the water and is it safe?

Answer 1

If you're getting pink stains in the toilet bowl, bottoms of shower curtains, etc. it's probably Serratia marcescens, which is a gram-negative bacterium found in soil.  We first noticed it when we moved to our new house in the country a year ago (and we're on city water).

Our water department claims it's not in the water because chlorination kills it.  It's apparently found in soil and it's airborne especially if you're near any construction sites.  Bleach kills it, but since I don't use bleach I found hydrogen peroxide or even vinegar also does a good job.  Taking your shoes off when you enter the house and washing your hands immediately prevents it from getting into the house in the first place.

Answer 2

The city doesnt add things that stain in the supply,Sounds like you put a red garment in your laundry that bled onto your other clothes.

Answer 3

If it was in the water you would see it.

Answer 4

A red or pink pigmented bacteria known as Serratia marcescens is thought to be the cause of the pink “stuff”. Serratia bacteria are common inhabitants of our environment and can be found in many places, including human and animal f***s, dust, soil, and in surface waters. The bacteria will grow in any moist location where phosphorous containing materials or fatty substances accumulate.  Sources of these substances include soap residues in bathing areas, f***s in toilets, soap and food residues in pet water dishes.  Many times, the pinkish film appears during and after new construction or remodeling activities.  Others have indicated the pink “stuff” occurs during a time of year that their windows are open for the majority of the day.

These airborne bacteria can come from any number of naturally occurring sources, and the condition can be

further aggravated if customers remove the chlorine from their water by way of an activated carbon filter. Serratia can also grow in tap water in locations such as toilets in guest bathrooms where the water is left standing long enough for the chlorine residual disinfectant to dissipate.  Serratia will not survive in chlorinated

drinking water.

Serratia marsescens is not known to cause any waterborne diseases.  Members of the Serratia genus were once known as harmless organisms that produced a characteristic red pigment.  More recently, Serratia marcescens has been found to be pathogenic to some people, having been identified as a cause of urinary tract infections, wound infections, and pneumonia in hospital environments.

Once established, the organism usually cannot be eliminated entirely.  However, periodic and thorough cleaning of the surfaces where the pink slime occurs, followed by disinfection with chlorine bleach appear to be the best way to control it.