Brown water in Abbeville expected for at least another 60 days

Unfortunately, customers on the city of Abbeville’s system continue to see brownish, yellowish water coming from the tap.
On the plus side, there is a timeline for when those customers can expect relief.
Abbeville Public Works Director Chris Gautreaux said Wednesday morning that renovation work at the water plant that has caused the discoloration is expected to be wrapped up in the next 60 to 90 days.
“It’s painful,” Gautreaux said, “but it will be worth it in the end. The contractor is working hard to finish.”
In the meantime, the water remains safe for consumption and use.
“We are passing all of our tests,” Gautreaux said.
The water treatment plant is currently in bypass mode, a process that goes around the clarifier and other components. Gautreaux explained that work the clarifier should be completed within the next week or two. Once that process is done, the clarifier can be blasted and painted. The backwash pump has been installed. However, it cannot be tested until the filter work is finished.
“We have three filters,” Gautreaux said. “The next step is to re-pour the concrete for the filters, so they will have to form that up, and redo the piping. Nothing can be put back to normal until the filters are complete.
“With all that being said, we are about 60 to 90 days away.”
Gautreaux explained that chemicals were added recently to help alleviate issues with manganese and iron, which can cause the water’s brownish appearance.
“We are trying everything that we can do,” Gautreaux said. “We are passing all of the tests.
“We are doing everything that we can do on our end.”