MOUND BAYOU, Miss. — City officials in Mound Bayou are assuring residents that their brown-colored tap water is safe to drink, despite its unusual appearance.
According to a notice from the mayor’s office, the discoloration is caused by organic materials in the city’s groundwater wells. The city operates two wells in a confined aquifer, where water has naturally filtered through layers of clay and sand for hundreds of years. One of the wells has developed noticeably more organic color than the other.
The brown tint comes from tannins — natural organic compounds released from decaying vegetation that seep into groundwater. Officials said this can give water a “tea-like” or “root beer” hue. While it may look unpleasant, the water does not pose a health risk and meets Environmental Protection Agency safety standards.
“Water with organic color from tannins does not pose a direct health risk,” the notice stated. “Color is costly to remove and because it is not a health risk, the EPA does not require its removal.”
Mayor Leighton Aldridge said the city plans to drill a new well that will provide clearer water, but residents will have to continue using the darker water until that project is complete.
City officials emphasized that the water is treated with chlorine to ensure safety as it moves through distribution pipes and is regularly tested to meet state and federal requirements.
For more information, residents can contact City Hall at (901) 545-9898 or visit www.cityofmoundbayou.com.
