Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Great Oaks Water doing to protect the safety of our water supply?

• Why do I need to pay a Security Deposit?

• What is water hardness and how hard is my water?

• Do I need to use a water softener?

• If I have a leak how much water am I losing?   

• How do I turn off the water to my  house?  

• Where is my water meter located?   

• How do I read my meter?  

• How do I find your office?  Please give me directions so that I can drop off my payment.  

• Why do I need to pay a Security Deposit?
  A Security Deposit is mandated by our Tariff (Operating Rules) and is payable upon discontinuance of service for non-payment (Shut-Off).
  This amount is held in Trust and is credited back to the customer's account:
  1. If their account has been current for an entire calendar year, or
  2. When they close their account.
  Whichever occurs first. 

• What is water hardness and how hard is my water?
  Hardness is determined primarily by the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water.  It is expressed in milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate (or often as grains per gallon of calcium carbonate).  1.0 gr/gal = 17.1 mg/l.
  The water from Great Oaks Water Company wells has a hardness of about 18 gr/gal.

• Do I need to use a water softener?
  The desired level of hardness in your water depends entirely on your own personal preference.  Some people prefer very soft water while others prefer their water to be quite hard.  If you do not wish to see spots of any kind on your dishes, for example, you would need a water hardness level of zero grains/gallon.
  If you do decide to install a water softener, you should be aware that most water softening systems use sodium in their softening process.  If anyone in your household is on a low-sodium diet they should discuss this issue with their doctor.  One possible approach would be to install the water softener in the feed line to your hot water heater.  This would result in soft water for bathing and clothes washing yet still avoid the higher sodium content in the cold water used for cooking and drinking.

• If I have a leak how much water am I losing?

Unrepaired Leaks can be Costly
Water Loss in Gallons at 60 psi
Leak this Size	Loss per Day	Loss per Month
	120	3,600
	360	10,800
	693	20,790
	1,200	36,000
	1,920	57,600
	3,096	92,880
	4,296	128,880
	6,640	199,200
	6,984	209,520
	8,424	252,720
	9,888	296,640
	11,324	339,720
	12,720	381,600
	14,952	448,560
The above table was re-printed with permission of Heath Consultants Incorporated 9030 Monroe Road Houston,  TX  77061  713/844-1300

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