SALADO, Texas — People living off the west side of Interstate-35 in Salado are sharing some concerns about their water. The tint is yellow and home owners say it smells like rotten eggs.
However, the Salado Water Supply Corporation tells 6 News the water is safe to drink.
Tasha Decker has lived in Salado for five years and says she's never had any problems with water. She's one of the several who say the water is bad.
"I don't know who wants to drink that, but it ain't me," Decker said.
Because of this, Decker's left buying bottled water for her 11-year-old, her dogs and her cats.
"We're brushing our teeth with bottles of water now," Decker told 6 News. "It's just, it's killing my paycheck."
Ricky Preston, Salado Water Supply Corporation General Manager, says the west side of Salado gets its water from Stillhouse Hollow Lake and the Kempner Water Supply Treatment Plant, which is where the problem starts.
"Until the lake clears up and it settles down and the algae bloom is over, it's going continue to do that," Preston said.
Preston says they are working on treating the water too. They are converting the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion began on June 14, 2024 and will continue through July 14, 2024.
During this, people may experience taste and odor changes associated with this type of temporary disinfectant conversion, Preston said.
The Salado Water Supply Corporation says the following:
Public water systems are required to properly disinfect their water and maintain an adequate disinfectant residual in the distribution system. Chloramine, free chlorine combined with ammonia, is widely used as a disinfectant because it persists for long periods while also limiting the formation of disinfection by-product contaminants. Prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can affect water quality, such as high temperatures or stagnation of water, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system, which may hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfectant residual. A temporary conversion to free chlorine, partnered with flushing activities, helps to rid distribution pipes of this organic matter and improve the quality of your water overall.
Salado Water Supply Corporation has chosen to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine based on the following:
Colored water, taste, odor and nitrification.
If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact Salado Water Supply Corporation office at (254) 947-5425 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Preston told 6 News a Texas Commission on Environment Quality (TCEQ) representative came out to check the water quality. He says he was told the water was safe.
"Just be patient," Preston said. "You know, we're doing what we can. We're dealing with a product that we're given, and that's based on the quality of the water in the lake."
Preston also says using filters can affect the water.
"You're filtering out those toxins, but you're also filtering out the disinfectant," Preston said. "So now once it goes through your faucet, it's free of disinfectant."
For now, residents are waiting to see when it will improve.
"No matter how much they sit there and say that the water is safe to drink, our guts have proved otherwise," Decker said. "I wish they would just go out to different areas and actually test the water themselves. I'm worried for my kid and worried for my dogs and worried for my cats and we're worried for myself."
6 News reached out to the TCEQ about their findings on the matter. The following was their response:
Beginning June 3, 2024, six complaints have been received in the TCEQ Waco Regional Office alleging discolored drinking water with an odor provided by Salado WSC. A complaint investigation was initiated on June 21, 2024 with an on-site evaluation performed July 1, 2024. During the on-site response, the pressure readings and disinfectant residuals were noted to be compliant. The investigation is currently open and a final report will be available upon approval.
6 News will update this story as it further develops.
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