Aspinwall Residents Complain Water Has "Brownish Tint"

ASPINWALL (KDKA) -- Residents in Aspinwall told KDKA they've noticed a brown tint to their water in the past few weeks, and they'd like to know what it is and if it's safe to use.

A spokesman with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority says the reason for the discoloration in the water is manganese. Manganese is a mineral that is found naturally in ground water. It's found in the Allegheny River. That's where PWSA draws its water to service Aspinwall.

"I think had I seen it again, I might have thought 'so what's going on,'  but I just noticed it a couple of times," said Lizzy Kline, who noticed the brown water, while bathing her 18-month-old daughter.

PWSA says residents are seeing the brown tint because filters are being replaced at the Pittsburgh Water Treatment Plant near Aspinwall. The filters haven't been replaced in 20 years. In a statement to KDKA, a spokesman noted…

" The discoloration of water in Aspinwall taps is due to the presence of manganese…Manganese does not pose a health risk. Residents are suggested to flush their tap prior to using, and although the water is aesthetically displeasing there are no known health risks."

Still some residents said they aren't taking chances by drinking the tap water.

"We drink a lot of filtered water," said Kline, "so I didn't immediately jump to that conclusion, or worry too much but it's very re-assuring to hear that everything is safe and there is a cause behind the color."

The Aspinwall borough manager said she is talking to PWSA representatives and they hope to have the brown water issue resolved soon.

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