Bloomington Utilities' reservoir draw causes temporary brown or yellow tap water for residents
Seasonal drawing from lower levels of Monroe Reservoir has increased manganese in the city’s water supply, producing brown or yellow tap water for some customers. Officials say the discoloration is not a health risk, tests taken Tuesday met EPA advisory levels, and crews are flushing hydrants to clear pipes.
City of Bloomington Utilities officials reported that crews have been drawing water from lower reservoir depths where manganese is more common, which can alter water color or taste but does not pose a health risk. Tests taken Tuesday showed the water met EPA health advisory levels, according to the utility.
To improve clarity, crews were flushing hydrants and the utility advised customers to run cold water for several minutes to clear household plumbing or to change water filters more often until conditions return to normal. Customers who continue to see discolored water were told to email wq@bloomington.in.gov with their name and address.
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Source date recorded as September 9, 2026 at 10:09 PM EDT. A sourced news brief; no independent staff reporting is implied. Prepared with AI assistance; source-dependent claims remain attributed in the article.
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