Tap water for some Valley residents was brown for a second day in a row Thursday.
A water main broke on Pershing Drive in Derby about noon Wednesday, which also affected users in Ansonia, Seymour, and Woodbridge.
The water company — the Regional Water Authority — expected sediment in the pipes stirred up by the water main break to settle overnight, with the discolored water is gone by Thursday morning.
But Thursday morning came and went with some customers still reporting discolored water.
A spokeswoman for the Regional Water Authority said that as of midday Thursday, fewer customers had been reporting problems, but that trouble areas remain.
“We’re continuing to flush spots where there are more persistent issues, primarily in the center part of Ansonia (north of Derby and east of the Housatonic),” Powell said in an email. “I don’t know how long it will take for the sediment will clear entirely. We’re getting fewer phone calls about the discolored water, so perhaps we’re over the hump.”
Powell asked that if people outside central Ansonia still have discolored water, they should call 203 – 562-4020.
Meanwhile in neighboring Seymour, Aquarion Water Company reported on its website that discolored water had been reported in the areas of Maple and Walnut streets.
Aquarion estimated problems in its system would be fixed by 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
“Please run your cold water until it is clear, and we ask you not to do laundry until the water is clear,” the company said on its website.
Peter Fazekas, an Aquarion spokesman, said about noon that the company hadn’t gotten a complaint since 9 a.m. — though obviously, not everyone with a problem reports it.
He said crews ran some fire hydrants in an effort to flush the sediment out of the system.
About noon Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti left a Code Red message with residents saying those with discolored water should not drink or cook with it.
The message said that once the discolored water lightens up, residents should turn on the highest faucet in their home and run cold water until it is clear.
Click the play button to hear the message.
