AUB Clarifies on Reports of Discolored Water
Media Contact: Wayne Scarbrough
(423) 745-4501
April 5, 2017
ATHENS, Tenn. – Overnight, AUB received three calls from customers reporting discolored water.
AUB crews responded to all calls and all were cleared up by running the faucet for a short period of time.
AUB’s Wayne Scarbrough said they believe the discoloration is the result of increased flow and pressure on the Hiwassee Utilities Commission (HUC) water transmission line that brings treated water to Athens and points beyond.
“We believe that what people saw last night was the exact thing we inform customers about each spring and fall when we flush our city water lines. That is, you may see discolored water that is not unsafe, but is not desirable by any means and will clear up quickly,” Scarbrough said.
He said that AUB is purchasing all of its water from HUC this week while final measures are taken at AUB’s water filter plant on Old Niota Road where upgrades have been under way.
“After several weeks of planned work upgrading critical components and processes at the water plant, contractors this week are transferring power sources and making all final connections to energize the plant. Therefore, we are not producing water but are buying all of it from HUC for a few days,” said Jill Davis, AUB’s superintendent of water and wastewater.
She explained that the HUC transmission line to Athens normally moves water at about 1,200 to 1,500 gallons per minute via the use of a single pump. Yesterday afternoon, HUC had to turn on a second pump to meet the day’s increased demand on the line.
“This allowed them to move about 2,500 gallons of water per minute through the lines and this increased pressure likely cleaned some sediments out of the line, just like when AUB flushes city hydrants,” Davis said.
Scarbrough said that AUB has dispatched crews this morning to do extra flushing on the transmission line to try to head off any more discolored water reports. AUB routinely maintains the section of transmission line north of the river.
“But if there is discolored water already out in the distribution system, somebody could see it. If so, just run the faucet a short period and it should clear right up,” he said.
Scarbrough apologized on behalf of AUB for any water in the system that isn’t up to the utilities standards.
“Water should be clear and clean, period. We know that and we understand that any variation from that is not acceptable,” he said.
“There could be other instances of this today or during the week, because HUC will likely still be working to meet high demand while our water plant is not operating,” Davis added.
“If you should experience any discolored water, call AUB for any needed information or assistance and to run your water until it clears. That’s all it should take,” she said.
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