White flecks in the water are most often caused by deterioration of the dip tube inside your hot water heater. The dip tube in some water heaters deteriorates over time and causes small white plastic shell-like particles. The particles can clog aerators and cause reduced hot water availability. The dip tube inside the hot water heater serves as the cold water diversion line into the hot water heater.

Dip tube deterioration is caused when a manufacturer doesn't use a plastic stabilizer. These faulty dip tubes were installed in hot water heaters manufactured roughly between 1993 and 1996. The plastic particles are not toxic nor will they make your water toxic.

To see if dip tube particles are your problem, remove an affected aerator, clean it, flush the line for several minutes with cold water, and reinstall the aerator. Turn on only the hot water for several minutes. Remove the aerator again and check for white particles or flecks.

To remedy the problem, contact the technical services branch of your manufacturer for defect information. This is a manufacturer's problem that has nothing to do with water quality or service installation.