MILTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Last week, Milton residents turned on their sinks, bathtubs and washing machines and discolored water came pouring out.

This week, City Councilor Dakota Miller said the city is working around the clock to stop the virus.

The city is flushing hydrants for 24 hours to flush out old water and is also in contact with a chemist from CITCO Water to test samples of the systems. But most importantly, after receiving state approval, they will add polyphosphate to suppress iron and manganese levels and prevent discoloration. After the addition, it takes five to seven days for the water to enter the system.

But Miller says the main problem is extreme droughts and occasional rain.

“Drought conditions, rain and agitation, opening a fire hydrant and air in the pipes,” Miller said. “It’s a combination of things that caused the discoloration of the manganese.”

Milton’s Thrasher engineering group will send a crew to install equipment in the four water storage tanks to test for sediment and take samples from the top and bottom of the tanks to check chemical levels.

Miller has been out every day this week helping to fix the water.

“We are in good shape,” said Miller. “All of our numbers are back in good range.”

Miller said the public should come to meetings so their voices can be heard and would like to hear about any concerns they may have.

“I do my best to answer questions when people come, but most of the time they don’t come,” he said.

The water level at the plant was normal on Friday, Miller said.

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