HARTFORD CITY, Ind. — In Hartford City, millions of dollars worth of new water treatment equipment has been installed that officials say should ensure high-quality water for decades to come. But some residents are raising concerns about what’s been coming out of their taps.
The smelly, discolored water may not seem appetizing, but Mayor Dan Eckstein promises it is safe to drink from faucets across the city. People began reporting issues after a massive upgrade to the city’s water treatment plant, where the original equipment was over 50 years old, reaching the end of its usable life.
“It was a big project. We’re pushing about $7 million,” Mayor Eckstein explained. “It’s fixing now but it’s also building for the future.”
So, he said the reason some water may not be running clear yet isn’t because it’s dirty, it’s because the new filters require a break-in period. And while a handful of residents continue to avoid it, the water is being tested every day. According to online records, the Department of Environmental Management hasn’t issued any violations.
“You can always go to the IDEM website for the state to see the numbers. It may not mean much but if there’s going to be a red flag where something’s going to be unsafe, it’s going to be on there,” Eckstein said.
Eckstein also said crews have been working around the clock flushing hydrants in hopes of expediting the process. But they’re all asking for the community’s patience in the meantime.
“The numbers are getting better,” he added. “We’re at the end, I think, of this process. It’s just fine-tuning it.”
Eckstein suggested that anyone with serious concerns about the quality of their water collect a sample from a source outside their home, like a spigot, and contact city officials. He said they will do what they can to help.
