Oak Ridge Taps Go Brown As Utility Insists Water Is Safe

Tea-colored tap water is raising eyebrows around Oak Ridge, but Hallsdale‑Powell Utility District says the issue traces back to elevated manganese in Melton Hill Lake and that treated water remains safe for everyday use. Lab staff picked up the higher manganese levels at the intake, tweaked the treatment process to pull more of the mineral out, and reported the occurrence to state regulators while stepping up sampling and monitoring across the system.

Utility response: treatment changes and flushing

In an update on its website and social feeds, Hallsdale‑Powell said its Melton Hill Water Treatment Plant lab team found higher‑than‑normal manganese concentrations in the source water and has modified treatment processes to remove it. As that extra manganese is flushed from pipes, customers may see brownish or tea‑colored water coming from their taps. Crews are flushing lines and will keep sampling and checking the distribution system as work continues, according to Hallsdale‑Powell Utility District.

Officials: water meets standards, remains safe

General Manager Darren Cardwell told WATE that finished water still meets drinking‑water regulations and “remains safe for everyday use.” The utility has notified the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation about the elevated manganese readings and says it is working with state advisors on the steps needed to bring levels back to normal.

What manganese is and when it becomes a problem

Manganese is a naturally occurring element found in soil, rock, and many common foods. The National Institutes of Health notes that the body needs small amounts, but that consuming manganese at high levels from drinking water can lead to health concerns. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a lifetime health advisory of about 300 micrograms per liter for manganese in drinking water and a separate secondary standard near 50 micrograms per liter that is tied to taste, staining, and discoloration in plumbing and laundry. For background on potential health effects and recommended benchmarks, see the National Institutes of Health and EPA guidance on manganese.

Why can reservoirs suddenly show higher manganese

Seasonal shifts in water temperature, changing oxygen levels and stratification in reservoirs can all help release manganese from bottom sediments into the overlying water, making the mineral more soluble where utilities draw in raw water. The Tennessee Valley Authority tracks conditions in Melton Hill Reservoir and reports year‑to‑year differences in temperature and water quality, while technical water‑quality references describe how those temperature and oxygen changes can nudge dissolved metals like manganese upward at intake locations. These are the kinds of short‑term swings utilities typically react to when they see a spike. See TVA and reservoir water‑quality summaries for context.

What residents should do if their water is discolored

The utility is advising customers to run cold water taps until the water clears and to hold off on using hot‑water appliances for laundry while any discoloration is present, to avoid staining clothes. Hallsdale‑Powell has told customers that tap water remains safe for drinking, cooking, and bathing while treatment adjustments and flushing continue, according to Hallsdale‑Powell Utility District. Public health guidance also notes that infants and very young children are more vulnerable to high manganese exposure, so households with babies are encouraged to follow any additional advisories and review state information, such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ materials on manganese in drinking water.

The district says it will keep sampling, flushing, and posting updates on its website and social channels while it works to return manganese levels to typical ranges. Residents who continue to see discolored water or who have health questions can contact Hallsdale‑Powell customer service or check the utility’s water‑quality reports for the latest test results.