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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Local police use science to protect domestic violence victims ... Umpqua Dairy celebrates 85 years as family-owned company ... Motorcyclist dies in Caves Highway crash ... Local police use science to protect domestic violence victims ... Umpqua Dairy celebrates 85 years as family-owned company ... Motorcyclist dies in Caves Highway crash ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: 'Black moldy stuff' is probably a fungus Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 25, 2016 at 2:57 PM Updated Jun 25, 2016 at 5:39 PM Posted Jun. 25, 2016 at 2:57 PM Updated Jun 25, 2016 at 5:39 PM » Social News What is that black moldy stuff that grows on my water taps? That has never happened anywhere else I have lived. I thought it might be from old pipes but my plumber says he replaced all of his pipes and it still happens. He says it is normal for this city. It must not be poisonous, or we would all be dead. What is it? — Steve S., Medford Ah, Steve, the fault may not lie in your water, but in your pipes, according to the folks at the Medford Water Commission, who kindly took time out from their search for lead pipes to answer your question. Sara Bristol, spokeswoman for the commission, said the agency does occasionally hear from people about "black flecks" or even "slime” in the water when they turn on their faucet. There are a couple of possible culprits, she said, neither related to the quality of the water. Here's what she had to say: "Particularly in the case of black flecks, one thing to check for would be disintegration of rubber gaskets inside the faucet. Replacing the gasket and cleaning out the aerator should take care of that problem. Pipe degradation or corrosion within the water heater could also release mineral flakes from exposed iron (rust), but requires a more costly fix." She said the more likely suspect in your case, Steve, since you referred to “moldy stuff” growing on your faucets, "is an airborne fungus (aka mold), which likes to grow in moist areas, including toilet tanks and bowls as well as drains and faucets." Bristol said a plumber may be able to offer more solutions, but the Water Commission recommends removing all sink aerators and shower heads and flushing the plumbing by fully opening all taps, starting closest to the water heater, and running the water for several minutes with both hot and cold water. She said anyone with water quality concerns is welcome to call the Water Commission at 541-774-2430, or email [email protected]. —Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 25, 2016 at 2:57 PM Updated Jun 25, 2016 at 5:39 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501