Grady County Resident Upset by 'Dirty Water'

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

CHICKASHA, Oklahoma --Thousands of people in Grady County are upset by the "dirty water" coming out of their faucets. A section of Grady County has been experiencing water problems since May and now residents in Chickasha are starting to see them too.

All of Grady County gets its water from the same well at the water treatment plant in Chickasha, but Water District 6 Manager Paul Jones said residents who receive water from the District 6 pipe are seeing their water turn different colors.

Water testing officials said the water is tested constantly in the lab, and the results are clean and clear.

"According to all EPA and DEQ regulations, we are meeting our standards," said Larry Fuchs, Chickasha Public Works Director.

But why water in Grady County is clear in the lab and not out of many faucets is not known.

"In the testing we've found it's manganese. We're trying to isolate the problem and where it's coming from and what could possibly be stirring it up," Fuchs said.

Homeowners like Dale Waldron said they are fed up. He tests his water outside before letting it run inside. Waldron said most days he tries not to run his water at all.

"Your bathtub, commode, dishwasher, everything gets this red buildup. It just looks filthy," Waldron said.

But Fuchs said the water is safe to drink despite its sometimes murky appearance.

"I'd like to see them drink it. I'd like to see the city council, the mayor, all of them drink this bottle right here. I dare them to do it," Waldron said.

Investigators said it could be the pipes the District 6 water is pumped through, but Jones said he doesn't think its District 6's fault.

But for customers like Waldron, it doesn't matter whose fault it is. He said he just wants to be able to use the water he pays for.

Engineering firms are working on the problem and said it could be fixed in the next three weeks.

The manager of District 6 has permission to bring in outside experts to look into the problems. Council members are also expected to discuss the issue again in September.