The Water and Sewer Division has received several reports of discolored water last evening and today. We have looked into possible causes and believe that the water quality issues were from multiple starts and stops of the water treatment plant equipment yesterday. Late yesterday afternoon, there were essential priority repairs completed at the water treatment plant that required us to start and stop the facility multiple times to confirm the repairs were successful. When the treatment plant is not running, the Town is fed by the water storage tanks. The treatment plant typically runs for most of the day and turns off in the early hours of the morning once the storage tanks are full and the demand is met. By starting and stopping the plant multiple times, we believe the water was pushed in different directions multiple times and ultimately caused some water quality issues. There were no changes to, or issues with, the water leaving the treatment plant at any time yesterday. We did not anticipate the multiple starts and stops of the treatment plant to cause water quality issues and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.
If you experience discolored water, please discontinue using water for a period of time (up to an hour) and then try the water again. While discolored water is present, please refrain from using hot water and flush your cold water using a downstairs bathtub or outside faucet.
We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding. Please contact the Department of Public Works at 508-841-8502 or watersewer@shrewsburyma.gov with questions.