oh yucky, that sounds terrible, I hope you are able to get it all done quickly. I have no idea about our heater etc, we rent so I have no control over it either
I haven't noticed anything with my laundry or food or drinking. I do use a Pur filter for our drinking H2O. I do notice that my cat's water bowl gets a red ring in it if I let the water sit for a day or so. Drives me NUTS