Water with ‘dirt-taste’ still safe to drink, MWA says

Macon Water Authority received a half dozen complaints in recent weeks from customers concerned about tap water tasting like dirt.

MWA CEO Ron Shipman said the authority tested the water and results “showed normal readings,” according to Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s water quality guidelines.

That guidance calls for testing water for bacteria, chlorine, acidity and alkalinity, phosphate and other elements.

In addition to the formal complaints, buzz on internet forums indicates numerous others have encountered foul-tasting water in different areas of Bibb County.

Shipman said the authority collects and tests 120 water samples each month plus 217 lab tests of water each month at the Amerson Water Treatment Plant.

“MWA has been, and will continue, to systemically open strategically located water valves to review, evaluate, and test other areas of the water distribution system to see if anything can be identified in causing the ‘dirt-taste,’” Shipman said.