Residents of Rising Sun voiced concerns over water quality during the town meeting on September 12, 2023, highlighting ongoing issues with taste and odor that have persisted in certain neighborhoods. Local resident Skip Use, who lives on West Cherry Street, expressed gratitude for the town's efforts to manage odors from a nearby mushroom farm but raised alarms about the water situation in his area.
Use reported that many neighbors have stopped drinking the tap water due to a persistent unpleasant taste, which he described as "dirty." Town officials acknowledged the complaints, noting that the older infrastructure in some parts of town could be contributing to the problem. They emphasized that water testing has consistently shown safe results, conducted by an independent laboratory, and that the water supply from Chester is regularly monitored.
Commissioner Peterson suggested that environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures and heavy rainfall, might be causing temporary changes in water quality. Officials reassured residents that they are actively investigating the issue, including recent evaluations of the town's water tank, which showed no problems.
The discussion underscored the town's commitment to addressing residents' concerns while navigating the complexities of aging infrastructure. As the meeting concluded, officials encouraged residents to report any specific issues to help identify patterns and potential solutions.