Kermit official says dark water OK to drink
KERMIT Even though the city water in Kermit looks untrustworthy, a city official said it’s OK to drink it.
Director of Public Works John C. Shepard said the reason for the discoloration of the water is the build up of iron and manganese. The town gets it water from the Pecos Valley and Santa Rosa aquifers and the lack of rain water has caused the minerals to build up.
“They just affect odor, water and color,” Shepard it. “It’s unpleasant, but people who have lived here know it happens.”
Shepard said the city usually flushes their pipes twice a year to help clear out the minerals and their second flushing would be occurring within the next 30 days. While the city does not have a filtering system for their water, Shepard said the water is constantly being tested and the state has allowed them to not use a filter.
“The TECQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) has to test the water every three years and we test it twice a month,” Shepard said. “We’re blessed because we have some of the best water in the state.”
