Palestine Water Safe to Drink

PALESTINE – The city has been receiving complaints about the water’s color and odor. But the city says it is safe to drink. Palestine’s Communications and Best Practices officer, Nate Smith, says the problem has been caused by the long period of the previous rain event Palestine experienced. Smith says normal rain events stir up the water at the city’s intake area. The water is then pumped to the treatment plant where it is treated and the odor is removed along with the discoloration that it causes. But, with extended rain events, it overwhelms the plant and normal and even extra efforts to control these unusual conditions are not as effective. Smith reassures residents the water remains within state guidelines set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The city’s water treatment crews have been working to flush water lines wherever residents have complained about the water to help with the issues. The discoloration and odors should be gone within a week.