Houston residents are getting dirty-looking water from their taps as the District of Houston is flushing its water lines.
Houston Chief Administrative Officer Michael Glavin says the water is safe.
“We talked to Northern Health… There is no health hazard to the public,” Glavin said.
“What is causing the dirty water is the deposits of manganese on the walls of the waterlines is being dislodged from the walls due to the additional flush.”
The flush started last Thursday and should be done this week, he said.
The water discolouring happens every spring when the District flushes water lines. This is usually in May, but spring came early this year, Glavin said.
Another factor adding to the water colour is the commissioning of the water treatment plant.
They took a lot of water out of the system to test the water treatment plant, Glavin said.
“Once that water is taken out, the system has to fill back up again. So the water from the well rushes into the pipes to fill it up, and that creates a scouring affect. All that manganese that was sitting in the water lines over the winter gets stirred up,” Glavin said.
The manganese discolours the water but is not a health hazard, he said.
The plant commissioning started last Wednesday and will continue until May 11.
Glavin says the water treatment plant is should be up and running by the end of May.
“The District of Houston appreciates the patience and cooperation of its residents,” he said.
Anyone needing more information can contact the District office at 250-845-2238.
