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PARK LAYNE — Sheila Evans hasn’t been able to drink tap water at her home for more than eight months.
The water at Evans’ home and dozens of other homes in Park Layne is brown and she has saved several bottles of it.
“Its ruined our clothes,” Evans said. “Sometimes it’s really dirty and it looks like coffee, tea or cola.”
The discolored water is caused by rust, said Chuck Bauer, deputy director of the Clark County Utilities Department.
Park Layne has 17 miles of cast iron waterlines that are more than 50 years old and serve 1,648 homes. And the public water system is not filtered.
Bauer said the water turns brown when rust sitting at the bottom of the pipes is disturbed when a hydrant is opened, for example, and turbulence is created.
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency spokeswoman Heather Lauer said officials have received calls from concerned residents, but maintains that while the water is aesthetically unappealing, it isn’t a safety risk.
“There’s nothing that indicates the water is not safe,” Lauer said.
Bauer said the problem may be fixed this week now that officials are using a hydrant flushing technique called Unidirectional Flushing. The technique removes pipeline deposits, minimizes water discoloration and improves water quality.
Officials began flushing the pipes Monday and expect to complete the process in seven areas in Park Layne today, Bauer said.
“We’re cleaning the pipes inside and out. Once we’re finished, hopefully, the water will get much better,” Bauer said.
Bauer said officials typically flush hydrants annually, but because they are already seeing success with the technique, they plan to flush in “dead-end” areas with little water flow monthly to prevent future problems.
Bauer said officials have no plans to update the water system or waterlines in Park Layne because it would be too expensive.
The aging pipes not only cause discolored water, but also periodically cause water main breaks.
“I’m not going to say it happens regularly or every week, but it happens more than once or twice a year,” Bauer said.
Lauer said the EPA does not have the authority to force utility departments to update water systems, but said residents can pressure local officials to do so if they’re willing to pay more for their water.
“There’s no doubt that it can cause staining and it’s not something you or I would want to deal with. ... I feel for them,” Lauer said.
Evans said she only drinks bottled waters and doesn’t believe rust water is safe.
She also said authorities need to start digging and put new pipes in the area.
“People don’t want to live here and drink rusty water and have their clothes ruined. I bet they (officials) wouldn’t drink it.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or Tiffany .Latta@coxohio.com.
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