Politics & Government
UPDATED: Pink Water Draws Concerns in St. Michael, Albertville
The Joint Powers Water officials that oversee the area's tap water supply are aware of the situation. The colored water is harmless in normal doses.
Update 2:31 P.M.
According to the Joint Powers Water Board Website, the issue has been resolved and water discoloration should no longer be happening. Any customers with questions about their water can call Joint Powers at 763-497-3611.
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Residents were alarmed around St. Michael and Albertville when tap water, including water for showers and for drinking that morning glass of water, turned pink throughout the area.
According to e-mails from Patch readers, both city governments and the Joint Powers Water board, which overseas the operation of the St. Michael-Albertville-Hanover area tap water supply, is aware of the situation.
Find out what's happening in St. Michaelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The culprit was a pump that feeds postassium permanganate into the system. The pump, residents said they heard from water board members, was left on and put too much of the compound into the system.
Potassium permanganate is not toxic, and is often used as an oxidizer in water supplies. It removes the "sulfur" smell that can infiltrate into wells and can also be an effective treament for waste water.
David Heairet, an Albertville resident, said his water was running "purple" this morning, even a magenta color in the shower, as his wife showering.
"It does make you wonder what else they're putting in there," he said. "This was non-toxic, but what other pumps are there?"
The Joint Powers Water Board releases an annual statement about water quality in the St. Michael-Albertville area. Local water has scored high on all measurable scales for quality, and the cities have earned awards for their handling and treatment of wastewater in the past.
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