Residents frustrated by ongoing battle with dirty water
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Residents in Moama, NSW, are still dealing with the fallout of last month's floods, which has left the town's filtered water network dirty and discoloured.
According to the local council, the water is still safe to drink, but many residents are complaining about the brown colour and the staining it is causing on clothes and household items.
Beck, a local resident, took to social media to show the discolouration of the water coming out of her taps.
'Here's our kitchen tap water; the bath and shower are way worse!' she said. 'We haven't been drinking it either, but when the water looks like this in the bathroom, [we] don't want to wash in it either.'
Sarah, another Moama resident, is a mum to a 13-week-old child, and she expressed her anxiety about bathing her child in the murky water. Until the problem is solved, she said she would be taking her child to her parent's house in the meantime.
'It literally looked like straight river water,' she told news reporters. 'Being a nurse I know what little parasite can lurk in the river water, so I was not risking the chance.'
The Murray River Council said floodwater from the river systems was affecting the council's filtered water networks and discolouring the usually clear tap water. However, a representative went on to claim that it is totally safe to drink.
'While the filtered water is discoloured, it is not harmful, and the filtered water quality is within the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines,' they explained.
'Due to the discolouration, the following may occur; toilet u-bends may look a little murky, bath water may look dirty, white sheets and clothes may not stay white when washed.'
The problem is reported to continue for weeks until floodwaters finally subside.
Aside from flooding, here are other reasons why brown water may be coming out of your tap:
Rusty water can also be a sign that there is lead in your water pipes, which can cause several health problems.
Members, if you are experiencing dirty or brown water in your area, the best thing to do is contact your local council.
To be on the safe side, though, you should assume that water from a brown or otherwise discoloured tap is not safe to drink. Even though it might not be toxic, the discolouration could be a warning that it is potentially harmful if consumed.
Stay safe always!
According to the local council, the water is still safe to drink, but many residents are complaining about the brown colour and the staining it is causing on clothes and household items.
Beck, a local resident, took to social media to show the discolouration of the water coming out of her taps.
'Here's our kitchen tap water; the bath and shower are way worse!' she said. 'We haven't been drinking it either, but when the water looks like this in the bathroom, [we] don't want to wash in it either.'
The tap water in Moama has become brown and murky, and locals are speaking up. Credit: Facebook.
Sarah, another Moama resident, is a mum to a 13-week-old child, and she expressed her anxiety about bathing her child in the murky water. Until the problem is solved, she said she would be taking her child to her parent's house in the meantime.
'It literally looked like straight river water,' she told news reporters. 'Being a nurse I know what little parasite can lurk in the river water, so I was not risking the chance.'
The Murray River Council said floodwater from the river systems was affecting the council's filtered water networks and discolouring the usually clear tap water. However, a representative went on to claim that it is totally safe to drink.
'While the filtered water is discoloured, it is not harmful, and the filtered water quality is within the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines,' they explained.
Some mums are anxious to use the water to bathe their children. Credit: Facebook.
'Due to the discolouration, the following may occur; toilet u-bends may look a little murky, bath water may look dirty, white sheets and clothes may not stay white when washed.'
The problem is reported to continue for weeks until floodwaters finally subside.
When used for laundry, the dark water also discolours white fabrics. Credit: Facebook.
Aside from flooding, here are other reasons why brown water may be coming out of your tap:
- A faulty network valve, valves opening or closing
- Damaged water heater
- Use of a water/fire hydrant by fire services or another third party
- Laying a new supply pipe
- Switching water back on following a mains repair or routine flushing of the network.
- Repairs, maintenance and upgrades to the mains network
- Reverse flow
Rusty water can also be a sign that there is lead in your water pipes, which can cause several health problems.
Members, if you are experiencing dirty or brown water in your area, the best thing to do is contact your local council.
To be on the safe side, though, you should assume that water from a brown or otherwise discoloured tap is not safe to drink. Even though it might not be toxic, the discolouration could be a warning that it is potentially harmful if consumed.
Stay safe always!
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