If the tap water in your St. Louis rental tastes strange, leaves stains, smells odd, or looks cloudy in a glass, you have a reason to raise it with your landlord. A calm conversation backed by notes usually goes further than a hurried phone call. This guide covers what to gather, what to ask for, and what to do if the answer is no.
Start by describing what you see, taste, and smell
Before you call, write down exactly what is happening. Vague complaints are easy to set aside. Specific observations are harder to dismiss. Note:
- Which faucets or fixtures are affected, such as the kitchen tap, bathroom sink, or ice maker line
- Whether the problem is constant or shows up mainly in the morning or after water has sat in the pipes
- The color of the water, such as yellow, brown, or cloudy, and whether it clears after the tap runs for a while
- Any taste or smell, such as metallic, chlorine-like, earthy, or rotten egg
- Staining on sinks, tubs, toilets, or laundry, and when it started
- Dates, so you can show when the issue began
Take photos of stained fixtures and of a glass of water held up to a window or light. Dated photos are useful later.
Find out who handles what
In many St. Louis rentals, the water utility supplies water up to the meter, and the property owner is responsible for the plumbing inside the building. A problem in the building's pipes, the water heater, or shared plumbing usually falls to the landlord. A problem that affects the whole neighborhood, such as a service disruption or a notice about water in the area, may be a utility matter instead. Your lease may also describe maintenance duties, so read it before you write.
Make first contact in writing
A phone call works for an opening conversation, but follow it with an email or text so there is a record. A short message can include:
- The address and unit number
- What you noticed and when it started
- A note that you have photos or notes available
- What you are asking for, such as an inspection, a plumber visit, or a water test
- A reasonable time frame for a reply
Keep the tone factual. You do not need to accuse anyone. Stick to what you observed and what you would like done.
Ask for specific actions
Asking the landlord to fix the water is vague. Asking for defined steps gives them something to act on:
- Flush the affected lines and check whether the problem clears
- Inspect the water heater, shutoff valves, and visible pipes for corrosion or sediment
- Have a licensed plumber look at the building's plumbing
- Share any recent water quality report for the property or service area, if they have one
- Arrange a sample test through a certified lab if the cause is still unclear
Understand what a water test can and cannot tell you
A lab test measures specific substances in a sample. It will not capture everything, and a single result may not explain a problem that comes and goes. Before agreeing to a test, ask which substances it covers. Tests for metals such as lead, for bacteria, and for hardness or pH are separate tests, and each sample has to be collected the right way. Follow the lab's instructions closely. A test is a tool for choosing next steps, not a final verdict on the building.
Know where to turn in the St. Louis area
If the landlord does not respond or refuses to act, you have other options. Your city or county housing inspection office can look at conditions in rental units. Tenant advocacy and legal aid groups serving the St. Louis area can explain your rights under your lease and local rules. Keep your documentation organized so anyone helping you can see the timeline quickly.
Keep your own records
- Save every message, text, and email
- Note the date, time, and content of each phone call
- Keep dated photos or video of the problem
- Keep receipts for bottled water or any test you paid for
- Keep a copy of your lease and any move-in condition report
What to do while you wait
Water that has sat in pipes overnight can look or taste different from water that has run for a minute. If you are concerned about one faucet, run the cold tap until the water changes, then use that water for drinking or cooking. If someone in the home has specific health concerns, ask their health care provider for guidance. Do not stop paying rent without first getting advice from a legal aid group, since withholding rent can carry risks under your lease.
When the answer is still no
If the landlord will not act within a reasonable period, send your request again in writing, refer to your earlier notices, and ask for a specific date when work will happen. Then contact the housing inspection office or a legal aid group. Check your lease before you install anything at the tap or change fixtures, since many leases require permission first. Careful records and a clear written request are the strongest starting point you have.