MIDLAND, Texas — The City of Midland said Wednesday that if a Midland resident's water smells or has a color issue, it might be because manganese is in the public drinking water.
According to the city, manganese is a naturally occurring element found in many types of rocks and soil.
The city stated that manganese is an essential nutrient for human health in small amounts, however, its presence in public drinking water can raise concerns due to look and smell rather than the true health risks.
According to the city, health officials don't believe that drinking discolored water poses a health risk.
"The water is tested daily through various parts of the City and complies with safe drinking water regulations," the city said in a post. "The City is treating the water at the water plant and is continuously adjusting the treatment method to address the continuing changes in the water supply."
If someone's water is discolored, below is steps someone can take:
- Turn on a cold water tap and let the water run for a few minutes. It is best to use a bathtub tap as there is no screen to trap any sediment. You can collect this water and use it to water your plants.
Catch some water in a light-colored cup. If the water isn’t clear, turn off the tap, wait 30 minutes, and try again. Discolored water usually doesn’t last long.
If the water still isn't clear after two or three hours, submit a SeeClickFix request here.