Brown Water in Indiana Town

Dec. 27, 2018

A computer glitch at a filtration plant may have allowed minerals to seep into the water turning the water brown in Lake Station, Ind.

In Lake Station, Ind., residents have noticed brown-tinted waters. According to CBS Chicago, officials say it is supposedly safe to drink. A supposed computer glitch at the filtration plant may have allowed minerals to seep in and turn the water brown.

According to the city, the water is safe to drink but residents are not sold. According to CBS Chicago, resident Wendy Cox had to do her household chores with bottled water. Cox said on Wednesday she opened up her faucet to murky brown water that seemed to get darker the more she poured out.

“Three gallons will let me do my dishes and coffee,” she said to CBS Chicago.

Cox said she is scared she may get sick from the water. Cox and other residents had the same problem in July when she started collecting plastic jugs to bring clean water form the homes to family members outside of Lake Station.

“It has gotten worse,” Cox said to CBS Chicago.

Adrian Vera, Public Works superintendent, says he has been battling the issue ever since he took over this job in June.

According to CBS Chicago, a malfunctioning valve controlled by a computer system at the filtration plant let extra minerals into the normally clean tank.

Officials say on Monday they began the process of opening hydrants to flush the brown water out.

“It’s not pleasant at all and I understand the frustration, so does the mayor, but it is safe to drink and I have drank it,” Vera said to CBS Chicago.

According to Vera, they are close to being able to provide a comprehensive flush of the nearly 80-year-old water system. They are now waiting for necessary part to arrive and an above freezing day, according to CBS Chicago.

“We don’t know how long it’s gonna take,” Cox said to CBS Chicago.

The city says it would like Indiana American Water to take over Lake Station’s water but the potential sale it tied up in the courts.

Sponsored Recommendations

Blower Package Integration

March 20, 2024
See how an integrated blower package can save you time, money, and energy, in a wastewater treatment system. With package integration, you have a completely integrated blower ...

Strut Comparison Chart

March 12, 2024
Conduit support systems are an integral part of construction infrastructure. Compare steel, aluminum and fiberglass strut support systems.

Energy Efficient System Design for WWTPs

Feb. 7, 2024
System splitting with adaptive control reduces electrical, maintenance, and initial investment costs.

Blower Isentropic Efficiency Explained

Feb. 7, 2024
Learn more about isentropic efficiency and specific performance as they relate to blowers.