Peekskill's Discolored Water OK To Drink, Use

PEEKSKILL, NY — Complaints about discolored water in Peekskill led city officials to say that it is not a health risk.

According to a news release posted on Facebook, the water department said, "Although a nuisance, it does not present a health risk as long as the density of suspended particles in the water, or 'turbidity,' stays within acceptable limits."

Officials said that city water is safe to drink and use for cooking and bathing, and there is no order to boil water.

Testing shows the turbidity to be higher than normal but within health standards. Testing also shows bacteria levels, Ph levels and residual chlorine to be within safety standards.

The city's water department said it has increased the frequency of turbidity testing at the treatment plant from every four hours to every hour.

That will allow the city to better track the issue, officials said.

Pipes connecting the treatment plant wells to the water system will be visually examined to identify possible breaks, and a diver will be brought in to check water storage tanks for cracks or leaks.

Water officials said that maintaining turbidity levels within safe limits is important because too much turbidity can reduce the effectiveness of chlorine in the water.

"For this reason, in addition to the aesthetics of discolored water, the Water Department is using all its available resources to address the turbidity issue," the statement said.

If customers notice discolored water, they may call the Water Department at 914-734-4110.

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