LADERA RANCH, CA - On August 22nd, Ladera Ranch resident Sarah Thompson posted the following message to her neighbors on the LaderaLife.com website:

"Is anyone having a problem where the water from the tap smells funny, like a sulphur smell? It is happening in the bathrooms for myself and one of my neighbors. We live in Terramor, although I don't know if that would have anything to do with it. I have purchased a water test kit, but am not sure what I'm looking for. Anybody with any experience similar, please reply. Getting a little grossed out every time I brush my teeth!

Thanks :)"

LaderaPortal NEWS spoke with a water testing engineer at the Santa Margarita Water District about water quality concerns. Amber Baylor is a Santa Margarita Water District water engineer with a Masters Degree from John Hopkins, who, happens to be (on the side) a home brewer of fine beers and an avid fan of high quality tap water for her hobby craft.  Ms. Baylor observed the following:

"We supply water to all of the pools in Ladera Ranch, as well as all of the homes," said Baylor. "If there was a problem with the water coming into the community, you would smell it everywhere."

Baylor said that during certain times of the year, that the Water District gets complaints about “foaminess” or “cloudiness”, usually related to changes in water temperature that she says cause differences in oxygen diffusion in the water.

"What people should be aware of," says Baylor “is that even if they are a 'clean person', that bacteria can build up in the pipes and cause the production of many gases." According to Baylor, sulfur dioxide is the bi-product of certain bacterial fermentation of matter that may exist in drains.

"Usually, I suggest pouring some bleach down the drain," said Baylor. "That seems to work."