If you’re water’s had a yellow or greenish tint recently, you are not alone. Home owners in southwest Lubbock neighborhoods have been complaining about the strange color since last Friday.
“We’ve had several people being told one thing, other people being told another thing,” Sara Nielsen said. “‘It’s safe to drink, no it’s not,’ we just don’t know. So in the neighborhood, we pretty much have a consensus of no one is going to drink it until we know.”
Lubbock’s Water Department tested the water over the weekend and said it is safe to drink. They tested for chlorine levels and bacteria in the water.
“The water is safe to drink and is safe to bathe in,” said the director of water utilities, Aubrey Spear. “It’s safe to do everything you normally do in. If they don’t feel comfortable with that, we can take a look at the situation on an individual basis but in general it’s safe to drink.”
“I just ask to get this thing fixed because it’s not right, even if it is safe to drink,” she said. “I just can’t trust it. We need answers.”
Nielsen said even though the water department said it’s okay to drink, she doesn’t want to risk her family’s health.
“We’re even using bottled water to brush our teeth, cooking. I’m not sure how to far I trust it,” Nielsen said. “I have littles one I have to keep safe and family coming in from out of town and I’m not sure what I’m putting them into.”
The water department said the discoloration most likely comes from natural biological growth in the pipes, but it’s nothing to be worried about. Regardless, Nielsen and her neighbors are drinking bottled water until it’s clear.
