Okmulgee residents are complaining about their water, it’s brown.
The city said it is safe to drink but people are unsatisfied.
City manager, Bob Baxter said the city is putting out 6 millions gallons of water a day because of the heat and the higher than usual demand for water. Normally, they put out four million gallons a day. That water is supplied to 40,000 people, including Okmulgee city and several rural areas. That amount of water and the heat is causing water pipes to break.
“It stirs the chemicals it has build up through the years; they become loose and it gets down to the homeowners,” explained Baxter. “If it’s real light brown it will be lime, and if it’s redish, then it’s going to be a rust stained line—neither is harmful.”
The city is also trying to rebuild their water treatment system.
“Rebuilding our water treatment plant handicaps us as to where we can add the chemicals needed to get rid of the discoloration,” said Baxter. “Trying to get enough PH adjustment in there easily it would help prevent some of the rust and scale from turning loose and getting in the water, it would stay on the pipe.”
The water is safe to drink and bathe with but if you are going to clean your whites in the laundry, you might want to wait or use something that will keep them white while they are inside your washer. Baxter said his whites turned orange-redish from the rust in the water. Thankfully, he joked, his wife knew how to fix the problem.
“You can rewash them or add some bleach,” said Baxter.
The city said they have received about 20 calls a day from residents complaining about the discolored water. Baxter said if you call the city water department they will allow you to run your water hydrant outside for “so long” to clear the brown color and then credit you back 1,000 gallons of water on your next water bill.
