Many Brownwood residents may have wondered just why their water is a bit discolored recently.  The Brown County Water Improvement District general manager Dennis Spinks reports that although the exact reason is not known, it is not a health concern and quality of the water is being well maintained.

With Lake Brownwood levels diminishing, the district has opened a lower level outlet for water supply to the treatment plant.  This valve is approximately 25 feet lower in the lake than the higher valve which is most often used.  Spinks stated that the lower valve is pulling water out of different strata of the lake; a lower one which possibly contains more minerals and sediment causing the discoloration of the water.  Water lines that dead-end on a street or those less utilized may have a more prominent coloring, Spinks said.

“The water is safe to drink,” stated Spinks.  “This discoloration is in no way affecting the quality of the water.”

Spinks reported that the treatment plant is currently adding more free chlorine to take the unusual color out of the water. 

“It’s hard to say what is causing it,” stated Spinks.  “Better quality water usually is at the top of the lake and we’ve had to switch to the lower valve due to the level of the lake.”

The only difference found in the water of the lower valve as compared to the higher valve is a slight rise in manganese level, which is up just fractionally according to Spinks.  He suggested that there may be more iron in the lower level as well contributing to the discoloration.