As if something out of Alice in Wonderland, the town of Onoway, Alberta has pink water pouring out of its taps.
The town of Onoway says the pink colour in the water is due to potassium permanganate filtering into the reservoir during normal line flushing, assuring that residents were never at risk.
As per the press release from Onoway today:
Water Update – March 7, 2017 at 3:30 p.m.
Further to prior media release, please be advised that public works along with 2 representatives from Alberta Environment have completed their assessment of the potassium permanganate incident and preliminary indications point to a problem with the automations and/or valves at the Water Treatment Plant during the back washing of the filters. Further investigation will take place to determine the exact cause and repairs required.
The Town will continue to work with Alberta Environment until this is concluded. In the meantime, this equipment will be taken offline and no further backwashing with potassium permanganate will occur until the system is operating properly.
While on site, Alberta Environment representatives reviewed all operating reports/procedures and have determined that operator error was not the cause of this incident.
All main lines have been flushed and are clear, however there may be some residual in your service lines. Property owners may need to run their water for a few minutes to clear their service lines.
Would you drink this water? Maybe it will give you super powers.
