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Officials in Whitewater Region are hoping to ease concerns over an ongoing issue with Cobden’s tap water.
An update from the township explains that the yellow, brown, and tea-coloured water that Cobden residents are currently experiencing has been caused by unusually high levels of manganese, a naturally occurring mineral found in the community’s drinking water source, Muskrat Lake.
A recent combination of strong winds, heavy rain, and fluctuating temperatures has caused the amount of manganese leaching into the water to change dramatically.
Those conditions have made it difficult for the Cobden Water Treatment Plant to maintain ideal dosages of potassium permanganate, which they use to remove manganese from the water before it reaches the community.
Despite the tint, the township says the water remains safe to drink and meets provincial drinking water requirements.
The Ontario Clean Water Agency is monitoring water quality, adjusting treatment levels, and flushing hydrants to remove the discoloured water from their system. However, they have noted that there is no definitive timeline for when the issue will be completely resolved.
Residents dealing with discoloured water are being asked to run cold water until it clears and to contact the township at (613) 646-2282 if the discoloration continues after one hour.
A planned $5.5 million upgrade to the Cobden Water Treatment Plant is expected to address the manganese concerns, as well as its ability to manage algal blooms and other potentially dangerous compounds.
(written by Kasey Egan)
