(WHAS11) -- Concerned citizens in Charlestown, Ind. piled into a meeting Monday to ask questions about the city’s plan to clean up the brown water that’s been plaguing them for years.
Marilyn Greenwell went to the meeting on behalf of her elderly mother. She, like many others, is all too familiar with the problem.
“She calls me on a regular basis and says the water is dirty again,” said Greenwell. “We do what we can to get some drinking water to her,” said Greenwell.
“I’m tired of the dirty water,” said Tina Davenport, a long-time Charlestown resident. “I’m tired of having to go somewhere else to do my laundry. I’m tired of having to pay to run my water until it’s clear enough to be used.”
During the meeting, Mayor Bob Hall and others spoke about the plan to use a chemical called Clearitas to break up the manganese buildup in the lines. It’s that buildup which has led to the brown water problems.
“We are having this meeting because we know there is a problem,” said Mayor Hall. “We hope in the near future there won’t be one any longer.”
City officials said Clearitas is safe. They’ve been following Patriot, Ind. where they said it’s already been successfully used. During the meeting the mayor said the plan will not affect anyone’s water bill.
According to the city’s website, people can expect dramatic improvements within 12 to 16 months of applying Clearitas and flushing the system. While people like Greenwell still have concerns, they are also encouraged.
“Someone is finally paying attention to the problem,” said Greenwell. “It’s been 40 years and it’s about time.”
The Clearitas is scheduled to begin being added to the system Feb. 6.
For more information about the plan, head to: www.cityofcharlestown.com/project-clean-lines/what-is-project-clean-lines/
