Brown tinted water out of tap in Elkridge, MD

Submitted by dbto t3_10952iy in ColumbiaMD

This morning our cold tap water is slightly brown/tinted (County water, not a well). I called Howard County Public Works (Water Quality Phone: 410-313-4997). Was told to leave tap running and it "should clear up". Claims it is "disinfectant" and will clear up shortly. Anyone else in the Elkridge area having this issue.

EDIT/Update: Water has cleared up within 3 hours. Still some “floaters” but no longer tinted. I ran a series of home tests ($30 at hardware store). Everything is normal/within limits except still waiting on results for bacterial/biological contaminants (48 hour wait time for test).

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Comments

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prem5077 t1_j3w9tic wrote

Depending on where in Elkridge, maybe it’s possible the water main break near Waterloo Rd is the cause

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/public-works/emergencyscheduled-repairs

6000 block of Waterloo Road affecting 6201-6241 Waterloo Road, Kovach Court, Stockbridge Overlook Court, Woodloo Drive, Woodloo Court, Woodcrest Drive, Woodchase Court, 6202 Walter Way in Ellicott City and Golden Bell Way, Arbor Meadows Lane, 6310 Roan Stallion Lane and Morning Calm in Columbia.

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bizbiz23 t1_j3wi47o wrote

In my experience, this sometimes happens with water main breaks in the area.

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dbto OP t1_j3wjmhm wrote

Yeah, it looks like this is likely culprit. Crews have been working in the area, and the water seems to have cleared up. I ran some water tests (at home kit), and so far nothing concerning.

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DatStephanieDo t1_j3w81a8 wrote

I didn't notice this issue this morning.

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AndroidPurity t1_j6o05fq wrote

This can happen when construction crews work on the water line, but when they hook it back up they do not properly flush the line. So that leaves a lot of stuff in there which should not be.

I had my PRV (pressure release valve) destroyed because of this. Non-soluble Dirt got stuck inside it, so it had to be replaced. I was going to force the county to pay but it just seemed like too many hopes to jump through.

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gutterbrain73 t1_j3w3lmq wrote

Ask an actual neighbor.

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dbto OP t1_j3w46ff wrote

Doing that as well, but thanks for the input.

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