City of Columbia says discolored water during water treatment plant upgrade is safe to drink
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Some Columbia residents may have noticed the water from their faucets looking a bit different on Wednesday.
The City of Columbia wrote in a press release that it is aware of “widespread water discoloration” and stated the water is safe to drink. The release says that “contractors performed some significant work on the main transmission line” as part of the McBaine Water Treatment Plant upgrade.
Callers told ABC 17 News that their water looked brown coming out of their faucets. An ABC 17 News reporter showed the water at her residence was yellow since about 4 p.m.
The release says that excess minerals in water pipes and storage facilities were “causing discoloration to the drinking water. The discoloration is an excess of calcium bicarbonate; it is safe to drink. The excess minerals should flush through the system in the next 24 hours.”
The Columbia outage map indicates that a boil advisory was issued at 1:15 p.m. for residents on Oak Street, south of West Worley Street.
The city wrote in an April 30 press release that water main flushing would occur in parts of central and west Columbia. That release said crews will flush pipes from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. each day for about two weeks beginning on May 5.
The next phase of the City of Columbia Water Utility’s water main flushing will begin on Monday, May 5, 2025. Crews will flush pipes from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. each day for about two weeks.