218 Complaints of Water Discoloration Reported in Dade County

The Dade County Water Authority says it has received 218 complaints of discolored water as customers across the county report gray or yellowish water coming from their faucets.

Water Authority officials addressed the widespread concerns during their latest board meeting, saying unusually hot weather appears to be a major factor behind the problem while testing shows water leaving the treatment plant continues to meet state requirements.

According to information presented to the board, the Water Authority received 218 reports of discolored water, primarily during July and August, with some additional reports coming in September.

Officials emphasized that the problem has not been isolated to one neighborhood or section of Dade County.

“It is widespread. It’s not just concentrated to one area,” General Manager Elizabeth Zeller told the board.

The authority currently has approximately 8,933 active and inactive meters across its system.

Water Leaving Treatment Plant Clear, Officials Say

Water Authority officials said testing indicates the water is leaving the treatment plant clear and continues to meet state regulations, including required turbidity standards.

Officials believe prolonged high temperatures are contributing to the discoloration.

Water leaving the treatment plant had reached approximately 80 to 82 degrees during the extended period of hot weather.

Officials said the area experienced approximately 50 consecutive days with temperatures reaching 90 degrees or higher.

Based on research by Water Authority staff and discussions with another water system manager, officials believe prolonged warm water can accelerate the oxidation of naturally occurring iron and manganese, producing the discoloration customers are seeing.

Water sitting in storage tanks can also become warmer during extended periods of extreme heat.

Officials said the water temperature has since dropped and customer complaints have slowed.

Main Breaks and Hydrant Use Can Also Cause Discoloration

Manager Elizabeth Zeller said not every report has necessarily been caused by the same issue.

Some incidents were traced to water-main breaks, which can disturb sediment inside the system. Another reported incident occurred after a fire hydrant was opened.

Zeller said customer plumbing can also sometimes contribute to discoloration. In some cases, crews have checked water at a customer’s meter and found it clear, indicating the problem could be somewhere between the meter and a fixture inside the home.

Zeller stressed that they cannot say every case originates within the Water Authority’s system or within private plumbing.

EPD Contacted About Water Concerns

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has also been contacted about the issue.

Water Authority officials said they responded to an EPD inquiry explaining what the system has been experiencing and the steps being taken.

According to information presented during the meeting, an EPD representative indicated the authority appeared to be taking appropriate steps and acknowledged that cooler weather could help resolve the problem.

Zeller said the system has not experienced a loss of pressure associated with the widespread discoloration.

“To the best of our knowledge, this discoloration of the water is not harmful,”  Zeller told the board.

Authority Considering Hydrant-Flushing Program

The Water Authority is also considering whether a more structured fire-hydrant flushing program could help reduce future discoloration.

Officials discussed potentially beginning systematic flushing before the hottest part of the year to help remove accumulated minerals and sediment.

The system has approximately 600 fire hydrants, making a countywide flushing program a significant undertaking.

Officials said flushing would not necessarily eliminate naturally occurring minerals, but could help reduce the amount available to become discolored during periods of unusually warm water.

For now, crews are responding to individual complaints. When discoloration is found on the Water Authority’s side of a customer’s meter, officials said crews flush the line until the water runs clear.

Water Authority Asked to Address County Commission

The issue is now expected to go before Dade County Commissioners.

The Dade County Commission has requested representatives from the Dade County Water Authority attend the Commission meeting Thursday, October 1, at 6 p.m. to explain the water discoloration issue and answer questions about what is happening within the county’s water system.

Water Authority officials indicated during their meeting that representatives planned to make a presentation to commissioners Thursday.

Watch the meeting below