Diarrhea flowing out of kitchen taps

precious williams

Turned on my kitchen tap about an hour ago and nothing came out. Left it on, and some brown liquid that looked very much like diarrhea came spurting out. The same thing happened in the bathroom. When I flushed the toilet, actual liquid feces filled the toilet bowl. I have flushed it about six times, and each time it fills with diluted fecal matter. Extremely annoying as my cleaning lady came yesterday and now everything is filthy. I called my landlord who said it was out of her control and her exact words were: "its the City. Let the taps run until it is clear."

Anyone else encountered anything like this?? This is just disgusting.

mister softee

That happened to me twice. It's foul and disgusting. Seems to have been the result of construction in my case and cleared itself up right away.

Call 311. I haven't done that, but my friend did and they came out to have somebody test her water samples.....I didn't follow the whole story to the end, but I do remember that she thought they were very responsive.

In the meantime, keep running the water/flushing and hope that it clears up soon.

precious williams

Flexichick wrote: That happened to me twice. It's foul and disgusting. Seems to have been the result of construction in my case and cleared itself up right away.

Call 311. I haven't done that, but my friend did and they came out to have somebody test her water samples.....I didn't follow the whole story to the end, but I do remember that she thought they were very responsive.

In the meantime, keep running the water/flushing and hope that it clears up soon.

Dare I ask: was it actually poo that was running out of her taps? I may have to go to the gym to take a shower.

bronx4life

I don't know the outcome....but if it looks like poo, there's a fair chance it might be poo.

Be careful asking questions that you might not want the answer to :shock:

whyfi

It's not poo...
A lot of times rust and other non-poo sediment can become dislodged - typical with construction or if the water hasn't been run in a long time.

apollonia666

I vote that this thread be given the Title of the Year Award.

precious williams

apollonia666 wrote: I vote that this thread be given the Title of the Year Award.

It probably shows that I once wrote for tabloid newspapers.

meanderthal

Are any of the other building residents getting the same thing?

As WhyFi said, it's likely rust. (Any odor?) Just in case, though, collect a sample in a clean bottle in the presence of an unbiased witness; label and date it. The county must have a water testing lab for detection of coliforms in domestic water supplies. If you can't locate them, a pharmacist or doctor would know where to take the sample. There are independent testing labs, but you'd have to pay for the test.

Hope it clears up soon. Rust in the supply is usually temporary, lasting only until the "dosage" passes through the system. Hope for rust.

anonymous

Be careful with this one- call a plumber if you have sewage coming into your toilet, sink, or shower. This could be an easy fix by having him snake the sewer lines- you may have a normal backup. But remember that most of the pipes in this city are old, very old and your situation could only be a part of a much larger problem. Talk to your neighbors, too. Do they have any problems? If your landlord doesn't make an effort to fix it asap, tell him you'll have to call the city. Unhealthy living conditions cost landlords tons of $$$ if the city decides to fine them.