Portland-Area Residents May Notice Discolored Water During Spring Maintenance

If you live in parts of Greater Portland and notice your tap water looking a little strange, don’t panic.

The Portland Water District says some customers may see discolored water while crews carry out the district’s spring water main maintenance program. Officials say the discoloration may not look great coming out of the faucet, but there is no cause for concern.

The work is part of regular maintenance that helps keep the water system operating properly. According to the district, flushing water mains is essential for maintaining water quality and protecting public health.

Crews have already started flushing the system in Cape Elizabeth and Windham. The maintenance work is scheduled to happen Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. until the project is completed.

WGME is reporting that during the flushing process, customers may notice temporary discoloration in their tap water. That can happen when naturally occurring sediment inside the pipes gets stirred up as crews move water through the system.

The Portland Water District says the water is still safe, but customers may want to let their taps run until the water clears. It is also a good idea to hold off on doing laundry if the water looks discolored, since it could stain clothing.

So, if your water looks a little rusty or cloudy in Cape Elizabeth or Windham, it is likely just part of the district’s seasonal maintenance work and should clear up once flushing in your area is complete.