False Reports Blaming Storm for Salina Water Discoloration Addressed by Utilities Director Martha Tasker

Salina311 spoke with Martha Tasker, City of Salina Director of Utilities, about ongoing water quality concerns in parts of Salina where residents have reported discolored water.

Tasker said the issue is not connected to the recent storm. Instead, she said the affected areas are tied to older water infrastructure, including cast-iron waterlines that have developed corrosion over time.

According to Tasker, some of the older six-inch cast-iron waterlines now have roughly an inch of corrosion inside the pipe. That corrosion can contribute to water discoloration, particularly when iron and manganese are present in the system.

“We have iron and manganese in the old cast-iron pipes,” Tasker told Salina311.

Tasker said there are times when water may appear discolored, and that the issue can vary throughout the day.

“Sometimes it’s bad in the morning and not so bad in the afternoon,” she said.

The city is aware of the affected areas and has been working through long-term waterline replacement planning. Tasker said the city has had water quality issues in some areas over time and has been doing waterline replacements for several years.

One of the current steps includes the use of a flushing hydrant on the street as the city studies how to best manage the issue.

“We are aware of it and we have a flush hydrant on the street,” Tasker said. “We are doing an experiment to see how we can handle this best.”

Tasker said the city has plans completed for the street and is working on the budget. She said Salina has been spending approximately $4 million every two years on waterline replacement work.

Tasker also said she has been asking to move forward with waterline work on Larson and Dover streets, with the goal of getting that project positioned so construction can begin next year.

“I intend to ask to put this project in,” Tasker said, referring to the affected locations.

The city has also reviewed cured-in-place pipe options, which can be used in some infrastructure situations to rehabilitate existing pipes. However, Tasker said many of the aging cast-iron waterlines continue to present challenges because of the amount of internal corrosion.

For residents experiencing discolored water, Tasker’s explanation points to an ongoing infrastructure issue rather than a storm-related problem. The city is continuing to evaluate flushing, replacement planning, and future project budgeting for the affected areas.