BEAUMONT, Texas — The City of Beaumont posted a notice about the issues related to the taste and smell of the water throughout the city.
On Saturday August 26, 2023 the City of Beaumont Facebook page said that they are aware of the smell and taste of the water that residents are experiencing.
The smell and taste are isolated to certain areas of the city according the Facebook post.
Beaumont Mayor Roy West also posted to Facebook to assure residents that the water is safe and that it is a result of a free chlorine treatment that is expected to be completed September 12, 2023.
But not all Beaumont residents are convinced that the water is safe. Restaurants are also being affected and they're offering different options to work around serving tap water.
"Well the city hasn't issued a boil water notice but we wanted to be proactive for the satisfaction and safety of our guests," said Ralph & Kacoos General Manager Michael Wilthew.
The kitchen's famous roux now takes an extra step to make.
"We're boiling water in the kitchen to make sure we exceed the necessary sanitation and safety measures. Wanna make sure our guests are happy. Certainly don't want to make anybody sick," Wilthew said.
Some things have even been taken off the menu.
"We stopped serving any beverages that would involve the tap water, no tea here, no fountain drinks. We do have canned beverages, bottled water," Wilthew told 12News.
Mayor West explains in his Facebook video that the treatment is necessary because of the ongoing drought, extreme heat and increased use of Loeb Wells for the city's water supply.
The city is relying more on water wells in Hardin County. This new water source requires a different treatment technique. Instead of using chloramine to disinfect the water, Beaumont is using a stronger disinfectant called free chlorine for treatment.
"And the taste and odor issues are coming in where the chloramine water is interacting with the free chlorine water and where those interactions here that blend zone is between the two types of treated water is where you get the taste and odor issues," said Beaumont Public Works Director Bart Bartkowiak.
Restaurants aren't the only ones being affected by the water, residents are too.
"This is Beaumont, Texas. I'm originally from Flint, Michigan where the bad waters at. Seems like its following me everywhere I go," said Purvis Jones.
Jones told 12News that all weekend long he dealt with brown, murky water. It's forced him to buy bottled water everywhere he goes.
"There's some of us out here that, you know, may fall on hard times and can't afford to be buying bottled water you know. Let's get this water crisis fixed you know," Jones said.
City workers are flushing the water system and they are hopeful the strange tap water taste should go away soon.
Mayor West asks that residents call 311 when they notice the taste or smell so the city can flush the line.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.