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Resident reports recurring brown water to Seymour council and asks for alert system; city confirms new hire in water department
Summary
A resident told the Seymour City Council her household has repeatedly received brown water, asked the city to create an alerts page, and asked whether hydrant flushing or water breaks could be causes. City staff said they will investigate; the council heard that the water department recently hired Jay Smith and still has one vacancy.
Pam Martin of 304 West Lincoln told the council during the public-comment period that her household has experienced discolored brown water multiple times a year and asked the city to create an alerts page or social-media notice to warn residents when water issues occur.
“I am not here to complain. I wanna see if we can reach a solution,” Martin said, describing an Oct. 3 incident when she said a bathtub filled with brown water after routine lawn watering and noting similar episodes around Father’s Day. Martin told the council she has observed the problem about three to four times per year and described ruined laundry and concerns about bathing grandchildren.
Martin asked whether being “at the end of the line,” hydrant flushing or water main breaks could cause the discoloration and urged the city to implement a citizen-alert system similar to nearby towns.
City Manager Jeff Brasher acknowledged the concern during his administrative report and said the water department recently hired Jay Smith, calling him “a tremendous asset.” Brasher also said the department still has one open position and that the city’s water supervisor (referred to as Chase during the meeting) is continuing recruitment so the department can begin planned projects. Brasher did not provide a definitive cause for the brown water during the meeting.
No formal council directive or vote was recorded at the meeting specifically ordering an investigation or an alert system. Staff said they will work with the water department and report back. The council did not identify a timeline for follow-up during the public meeting.
Why it matters: Discolored water can indicate distribution-system disturbances that affect household use and can pose public-health concerns depending on cause. An alerts page or timely notifications would provide residents an opportunity to delay laundry or bathing until water clears.
Next steps: City staff to follow up with the water department; council members and staff acknowledged recruitment for an additional water-department position and the recent hire of Jay Smith.
