Drinking Water in Australian Town Turns Brown After Flood, Within Drinkable Standards, Authorities Say

After a flood saturated a town in Australia, authorities assert that the water supply is still safe to drink even though it has turned brown.

Families are disgusted by the brown water that flows out of people's water taps but that the authorities say is safe to drink.

It will take weeks before the discolored water in Moama, a town in southern New South Wales, returns to normal, locals there have been informed.

Even though some have been forced to drink bottled water, this may not be the only solution to all of their problems.

Not Taking Chances

Beck Angel, a resident of Moama, took to the social media platform Facebook to say that when the water in the bathroom looks like this, her family doesn't really want to wash in it either, even though they haven't been drinking the discolored water either.

Sarah Dixon told 7News that she was not intending to bathe her 13-week-old child in the brown liquid and that she was taking the child to her parent's house to wash.

Dixon claimed that the water coming out of their faucets actually resembled river water.

As a nurse, Dixon was aware of the tiny parasites that might be present in the water and declared that she would not take a chance.

According to the Murray River Council, filtered water supplies were being negatively affected by floodwater from rivers.

A council representative told the ABC that although the filtered water is discolored, it is safe to drink and that its quality complies with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

The spokesperson added that The discoloration may cause the following things to happen: white sheets and clothing may not remain white after washing; toilet u-bends may appear a little murky; bath water may appear dirty, New York Post reports.

South Australian River Communities

Communities along South Australia's rivers anticipate that the river will reach its first peak next week, followed by another peak at the end of December, as the water flows downstream.

More than 400 homes will probably be flooded, and some locals have already made plans to evacuate until the water recedes.

Authorities have issued a warning to residents of SA that they may experience a similar situation with their water, including a change in its flavor and odor, or that they may witness a blackwater event that could cause fish kills.

SA Water's website stated there were no reports of changes to tap water at the moment.

According to SA Water, drinking water's taste and odor may temporarily change if the river's water quality declines beyond what treatment plants can handle.

According to South Australia's Department of Environment and Water, the SA section of the river had low oxygen levels and could experience blackwater over the coming weeks.

The department added that a blackwater event is anticipated in South Australia and that there are already low dissolved oxygen levels there. To lessen the effects of blackwater, water treatment might be increased, 7News reports.

Is There Such Aftermath of Floods in the US?

After a flood, water supply tainting is a possibility. This is why the local government of Vermont has posted on its website an explanation for such incidents and a few reminders to residents if it does happen in their area.

According to the Vermont Department of Health, after an emergency, such as a flood, water might not be suitable to drink, cook with, or clean with. Water can become contaminated with microorganisms during and after flooding, including bacteria, sewage, heating oil, industrial or agricultural waste, chemicals, and other substances that can result in life-threatening illness.

According to the department, in flooded areas, it is better for those who have personal drinking water wells to assume that their water is contaminated and turn to a different water supply.