Water situation clearing up in Bonham

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Posted: 5:28 PM Jun 26, 2008
Last Updated: 5:28 PM Jun 26, 2008
Reporter: KXII-TV Staff
Email Address: firstnews@kxii.com

13 comments

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BONHAM, Tex. -- Bonham residents should now see clear water running from their taps. City officials say they have started flushing the water lines to get rid of manganese, a substance that occurs naturally in water that is safe but causes discoloration.

Bonham’s new water plant is using a new chemical to treat the city's water, and north Texas Municipal Water District officials determined that might have caused an adverse reaction with the manganese.

But officials say a total flush of the system will restore clarity.

"Our old plant has been operating for close to 40 years, and we have a new technology coming in with a new plant with a different treatment process, and some of the mains have been in place for hundreds of years," Ronald Ford, public works director, City of Bonham, said.

Officials say the even the discolored water is safe to drink, and the system flush should be completed by the weekend.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: terry Location: fannin on Jun 29, 2008 at 04:48 PM
The Bonham City and Water Officials appear to be rather cavalier on this water issue. What are the exact Manganese levels? EPA, OSHA, etc. take this seriously. KXII, why did you let this puff piece get aired. Where is the hard hitting investigation. Go get you started: Here the facts. The EPA has set a non-enforceable guideline for the level of manganese in drinking water at 0.05 milligrams per liter (0.05 mg/L). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a limit of 5 milligrams manganese per cubic meter (5 mg/m3) of workplace air for the average amount of manganese during an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek. The National Research Council has recommended safe and adequate daily intake levels for manganese that range from 0.3 to 1 mg/day for children up to 1 year, 1 to 2 mg/day for children up to age 10, and 2 to 5 mg/day for children 10 and older.

Posted by: Ralph Location: Denison on Jun 26, 2008 at 10:53 PM
The clarity of water does not necessarily indicate the quality of the water. Here in Denison, the water is clear enough, but many don't drink it, and it is so hard that it ruins household appliances and fixtures. With all of the courting of business and incentive laden economic development plans, it is time our leaders come to realize that water, plentiful high quality water, will be the key to future economic development in North Texas. The effectiveness of sales pitches, tax abatements, and handouts, cannot effectively compare to laying claim to and providing "The Best Dam(n) Water on the Planet" The opportunity is there if our leaders show a little imagination, and invest whatever is necessary to make such a claim a reality.

Posted by: AliceIn Location: Wonderland on Jun 25, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Has anyone ever done a study to see if the percentage of major diseases (cancer, kidney failure, liver damage) is increased in Bonham vs. other cities? Seems to me that water that smells and is brown must do damage to the body. I'd like to know if Bonham has an increased percentage of serious diseases.

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Sulphur Springs on Jun 25, 2008 at 03:18 PM
I lived in Bonham for 22 yrs and I never liked the way Bonham water taste. I would drink bottle water than Bonham water..Good luck people who lives in Bonham.

Posted by: Concerned Mother Location: Bonham on Jun 25, 2008 at 08:56 AM
For the life of me, I just can not understand how hard it is to hire someone/people to correct this problem? Seriously, you would think that this would be a major concern to the City of Bonham. I have lived here going on 6 years, and I also agree that there have been serious issues with the water. Then to top it all off, every month I receive this wonderful bill....reminded that the water is not fit to drink. So, we trot off to the grocery stores to purchase suitable drinking water...it's redundant!!!! Please, get off your "rear" and correct the problem. If you can't then bring in someone who can and will. I sure would hate to see someone slapped with a lay-suit in the event there is some form of illness that results from contaminated water!

Posted by: kelly on Jun 25, 2008 at 03:36 AM
heh heh...yup, go ahead and drink it up...a lil bit of brown water never hurt nobody

Posted by: Just a citizen Location: Bonham on Jun 25, 2008 at 01:44 AM
I can't help but wonder...Does Ronny Ford and some of the other "City Officials" drink and use Bonham water?....I doubt it very seriously. Who are they trying to fool by saying the water is ok? It has never been any good and safe to drink. The public would be more supportive of city officials if you all would admit the water is not satisfactory and that we need to resolve the problem, instead of thinking we believe everything you tell us. News flash...we don't! Its pretty bad when you can smell the water when you turn on the shower. I guess I'll have to move into the same neighborhood as a city official, that way my water pipes would be new, the road in front of my house would be freshly paved, and the fire marshal will make sure the lawns and vacant lots around the neighborhood stay mowed.

Posted by: AliceIn Location: Wonderland on Jun 24, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Okay, KXII - so you show the pictures of s*#t on the TV when a sewer backs up into a house, but you don't show the brown water the people of Bonham have been told is safe to drink?

Posted by: Mork Location: Ork on Jun 24, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Maybe the Warrior mascot on the water tower will make the water more drinkable. I still like the idea of the Martini glass and olive on the water tower :)

Posted by: Citizen of Location: Bonham on Jun 24, 2008 at 04:51 PM
I agree that it has been more like 4 weeks rather than 2! Funny how they are now acting on it since it has been reported to the media and more complaints have come in! Yet, we're still expected to pay full price for discolored water we have endured for a month. Hopefully, it will be worth it when they get it the problems resolved!

Posted by: Brandon Location: Sherman on Jun 24, 2008 at 04:48 PM
I've recently submitted my findings and advice to KXII's Reporters. The first thing I suggested was to do a "Continued Story" for Bonham's unhealthy and discolored water. I remember 15 years ago (I was about 9) the water tasted bad, and was discolored then. lol. Its just an event there that doesn't change. I'll tell you when it would be real NEWS. - Whenever Bonham got a "Superior Public Water System". That'll be the day.

Posted by: ANONYMOUS Location: BONHAH on Jun 24, 2008 at 04:16 PM
COULD THIS BE WHERE ALLTHE STAPH AND MRSA IS COMING FROM IN FANNIN COUNTY?????

Posted by: Casi Location: Ector on Jun 24, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Since when has Bonham water been fit to drink? It would be news to me.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 24, 2008 at 02:27 PM
Bonham water is the worst tasting I have ever had. I dont even cook with it. And the water has not been a redish brown for a couple of days, more like 4 weeks.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bonham on Jun 24, 2008 at 01:21 PM
You go right on and drink that nasty water!

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