Dateline: August 3, 2006

Cause of discolored water undetermined

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The cause of discolored water appearing at some residences in Clarendon is not easily explained and could have a variety of causes, but it is safe to drink.

That’s according to city officials and Greenbelt Water Authority, who say they don’t really know what is causing the trouble that has been appearing in the south parts of town, some of which has been going on for several months.

John Molder with the City of Clarendon said the problem first appeared on South Parks Street and in the southeast part of the city and then moved west. Most recently, city workers opened a fire hydrant at Seventh and Collinson Streets on Monday and let it run for 20 minutes before it ran clear.

“It’s rust in the lines,” Molder said, “and the problem seems to be mostly at the ends of the lines.”

Molder also has his own personal theory about what’s causing rusty color to appear.

“I think when Greenbelt changed their formula at the filter plant, it shocked the system and caused the stuff to turn loose,” he said.

But Greenbelt General Manager Bobbie Kidd said that while it’s possible the new treatment method might have had an effect, it doesn’t make a lot of sense because the same problem isn’t being seen in other cities using Greenbelt water.

“I would think I would be hearing from Childress and Quanah and Crowell,” he said, “but I’m not.”

Timing is also a problem for Kidd. The water authority changed its treatment process from a chlorine method to a new system with chloramines, which uses both chlorine and ammonia about three years ago.

Kidd said several other things could cause the water to be discolored, including any damage and repairs made to the waterworks during the street paving, any big leaks, and just the fact that many of Clarendon’s waterlines are old and need to be replaced.

“Flushing the lines can sometimes fix the problem, but it can also sometimes stir up the water and cause the problem,” he said.

The low level of Lake Greenbelt is not part of the problem, Kidd says, because water leaving the filter plant is “perfectly clear.” But he does think the higher temperature of the water could be a contributing factor.

“The water is probably 80 degrees coming out of your faucet,” he said.

While the discolored water is safe to drink and cook with, it can stain white clothes in the laundry. Kidd recommends never washing whites first, and running a garden hose to help clear the line if you see that your water is affected.