City of Weatherford Insists Brown Water Safe to Drink

NBC DFW ^ | Monday, Jul 6, 2015 | Kevin Cokely

[nickcarraway]

Residents of Weatherford say their water has been brown for weeks. While they say the city told them it can't be fixed, officials insist the water is safe to drink.

"I'm not drinking this water," said Weatherford resident Carole Vernon. "They assured us that it's OK to drink, but I'd like a third party to test it. I don't know if, I mean, that's not very appetizing."

The water flowing from Vernon's faucet looks clear, but a bathtub full of the water has a noticeable golden brown tint.

"When you get a concentrated [amount], like in a bathtub or a toilet, you can definitely see it," said Vernon.

The city said the problem started weeks ago, after heavy rains filled Lake Weatherford, which supplies the city's water.

"We are experiencing slight discoloration in a few areas of our distribution system," said Blake Rexroat, public relations manager for the city of Weatherford. "We attribute that to high levels of rainfall that we received in May and in June and so we are working to address that."

The city insists the water is safe to drink and use for other purposes.

"We exceed all federal and state regulations, so the water is completely, completely safe to drink," said Rexroat.

Others aren't so willing.

"We just don't drink water out of the faucet, and I cook with it somewhat, but it's really terrible to get in the bathtub," said Vernon.

The city warns residents the water may discolor laundry, but so far, there have not been any complaints.

Workers at the water treatment plant are trying to correct the problem, but the city said that could take a while longer.

The city of Weatherford sent the following messages to its residents about the water:

"The City of Weatherford Water Utilities Department is currently experiencing discoloration of water within the distribution system. The discoloration is a result of excessive run-off into Lake Weatherford from recent rainfalls. Please be advised the water is safe to use and consume and meets all federal and state standards for drinking water. Modifications have been made at the water treatment plant to reduce the discoloration and we will continue to monitor the issue over the next week. Thank you for your patience and understanding with this matter."

"Please be advised that there is a potential for slight discoloration of clothing when washing laundry, and which could also be made worse when using bleach or a bleach alternative. If you observe discoloration in your water, please use caution when washing laundry or delay washing laundry if possible until the discoloration improves."

[Tennessee Nana]

John Grisham has a novel that’s about brown water...it caused cancer...

[Vermont Lt]

Welcome to the third world.

Put it in clear plastic jugs and stick it outside in the sun. Just to kill whatever is in it. And to let it settle out.

[palmer]

If you knew what they do to get the brown out, you would ask them to leave it in.

[a fool in paradise]

Chocolate city?

[Popman]

Welcome to the third world.

Having lived in Ft. Worth, Texas and Weatherford, Texas was only a piece down to road...(in Texas that means 30 miles), I have visited several times.

I can tell you it's no third world country...

Their city water treatment system may need to be upgraded, but brown tinted water in Texas should surprise no one...

Most city water is not filtered, but sits in tanks and whatever sediment is in the water sinks down to the bottom, it chemically treated, then tested and passed on to the customer...

The extra rainfall just stirred up extra sediment...

[fulltlt]

Probably a large amount of iron in the water.

[Vermont Lt]

If your water comes out of the tap any other color than clear...that’s not good. Sediment falls out.

[ForAmerica]

This is like saying Agenda21.org or America2050.org is safe for us! And we (they) just keep falling for the banana in the tailpipe! The low information voters.

[Gaffer]

So.....I’m guessing yellow snow is okay with them too?

[Diogenesis]

At least the criminal illegals get Poland Springs
clean, fresh clear water to bathe in.

[Mr. K]

With the $TRILLIONS the government gets, they can’t even provide clean water.

[Moonman62]

Tannins are antioxidants, so in that respect they are good for you. People drink coffee and tea. Just because water is slightly discolored doesn’t make it unsafe.

[lowbridge]

“Just because water is slightly discolored doesn’t make it unsafe.”

So you’re volunteering to be the water drinking guinea pig? :-)

[WVKayaker]

Welcome to the third world.

I live in Davao City, in the Philippines. It is considered "third world". Yet, it has one of the best water supply systems in the world. I drink it daily with never an ill effect. I can not say that for everywhere I have been.

The Davao City Water District (DCWD), among the first water districts to be established in the country since the promulgation of PD 198, as amended also known as the Local Water Utilities Act of 1973, ranked number one in the listing of the top 50 water utilities in the Asia-Pacific region in the Asian Development Bank's Second Water Utilities Data Book published in 1997, It shared top ranking with the water utilities of Singapore and Johor Bahru of Malaysia.

- http://www.lwua.gov.ph/wd_features/wd_davao.htm

WE also have world class rafting!

[NorthMountain]

Show me the test results. If it’s just vegetable stain, I’ll have no problem drinking it.

[Moonman62]

Volunteer? I want money.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

Chlorine kills the bacteria, as much as it can, as usual - it’s just rust, iron oxide. It may taste a little like iron and stain the clothes, but it’s OK. What they ought do is give the man their daily test analysis results instead of just blowing him off like a kook. A little respect goes a long way.

[Bigg Red]

Iron is what I was thinking, also, as that is a constant problem with our well.

[Soul of the South]

From the 1950’s to the 1980’s the water supply at the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina was contaminated. Officials knew about the problems. Millions were exposed, thousands have died. The federal government, Department of the Navy, and USMC did their best to cover up the poisoning but thanks to the efforts of a few persistent veterans working for over a decade to be heard, the facts are slowly emerging. The federal government is still dragging its feet in providing healthcare services to the victims.

I believe nothing any government or government agency says about water contamination, particularly when it is responsible for operating the water system.

http://www.lejeunecontamination.com

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp

http://www.tftptf.com