Reports indicate taps are running brown in Farwell.

A social media post from the City of Revelstoke announced earlier today that residents were complaining about “dirty water.”

It is unclear at this time how many residents are affected.

Work is currently being conducted on a broken valve by the Department of Public Works Operations at Wales Street and 1st Street West.

The City said they notified residents of plans to conduct work on the valve last week.

“We’re replacing a valve that has broken on Wales Street. Increased flows from the break have caused sediment in the pipes to suspend in the water,” said Director of Engineering Mike Thomas. “Lower town residents may be affected during the work.”

A spokesperson for Public Works said this morning they shut off a valve, but made a mistake and shut off one too many.

The spokesperson said those affected are between Wales Street and Charles Street, and Victoria Road and 1st. Street West.

A resident on Front Street also reported seeing brown water coming from their taps around noon. The resident said the colour has since improved.

The dirt in the water currently running brown in residents’ taps is composed of rust and barnacles that build up in the pipes over time.

The City says the water is not harmful, and is urging residents to let their water continue to run to clear out the pipes and the remaining sediment.

A worker on-site said the dirt could travel all the way to Columbia Park as the pipes run in that direction.

Work at 1st and Wales Streets is slated to continue until 3 p.m.

Once crews pressurize the lines, the City reports more dirt will appear in the water.

A worker on-site said the City’s goal is to get rid of some of the aging water lines.

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