Monday, July 6, 2009

Although the City Water Superintendent says the water is safe to drink, residents of Howard say it smells and tastes bad.

When residents flush toilets, the water returning to the tank has a brownish tint to it. The water is even leaving an odor on clothes after being washed.

Local businesses are also affected. Many say the foul water is spoiling the taste of fountain drinks.

“We’ve had to put up a sign because the water tastes really bad. People were coming and complaining about our water and they would dump out our drinks,” said Tara Simmons, Kwik Mart employee.

The problem has been going on for nearly two weeks. Bottled water sales are up, and stores can barely keep it on the shelves.

Howard’s Water Superintendent says the problem arises, in part, because the city has to draw water from 12 fee t below the surface.

“Our intake is about 12 feet under and that’s where the stagnant water is. There’s no oxygen in that water down there at that level. And we need to be pulling water from the top part of the lake,” says Kevin Mitchell, water superintendent.

In the meantime, the city is adjusting the chemicals it uses to treat the water. Mitchell says it will take time to get all the bad water out of the system.