Yuck. Brown water continues to flow from Webster faucets

Democrat and Chronicle

For the second straight day, some Webster residents found discolored water flowing from the tap.

Two glasses of discolored tap water from a home on Bay Road in Webster. Monroe County Water Authority officials say brown-tinted water was the result of high demand, and the increased flow stirring up sediment in water pipes.

Brown water was an issue both Sunday and Monday evenings for numerous residents, said Nick Noce, executive director of the Monroe County Water Authority. On both nights, crews from the Monroe County Water Authority opened hydrants in the West Webster area and flushed the lines.

Noce said he believed the issue was due to high water demand in the town on Sunday and Monday, when the high reached 95.

At times there is a higher pumping velocity, "sediment in the (water) pipes dislodges and goes through the pipes, ultimately reaching the customer," he said. The issue, he said, has been limited to Webster.

More:Webster residents find brown water flowing from faucets

On an average day, water usage in the area is around 60 million gallons. On Sunday, the tally was about 35 million gallons more than the standard daily usage amount and topped 90 million gallons, Noce said. Monday's usage topped 86 million gallons.

The two-day stretch has been the highest usage rate the Monroe County Water Authority has seen for more than two years.

Daily demand is typically highest between 6 and 8 p.m., when residents return home and water their lawns and gardens and prepare meals, he said.

Noce said crews will continue to flush hydrants in the area during the day, in an attempt to prepare the water lines for a heavy volume of water.

"It makes sense to us," he said. "We're trying to flush the system as best we can."

Anyone who still has brown-tinted water should allow the water to run for 15 to 30 minutes, until it becomes clear, Noce said.

Don't drink any discolored water, Noce said. Once the water runs clear from the tap, it is again safe to consume, he said.

With the predicted high near 90 through Thursday, the issue will likely resurface this week, Noce said.

Customers with brown water are asked to call the Monroe County Water Authority at (585) 442-7200 to report the problem.

VFREILE@Gannett.com