‘Green’ water in West Mobile raises concerns

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Several West Mobile residents have contacted News 5 about ‘green’ drinking water from South Alabama Utilities.

The utility services the Semmes, Citronelle and other areas. Some residents of the Amelia Lake neighborhood said they’ve been concerned about the water for over a year.

“What’s interesting is if you don’t fill the tub, you don’t notice it. Just a glass full of water,” an Amelia Lake resident, Steven McClellan, said. “Even if you’d fill the bathroom sink, unless it was a really bad day, you might not notice the tinge.”

McClellan has lived in this neighborhood since 2021. He said that after a year of living there, he noticed dirty water in the bathtub.

McClellan saw some of his neighbors posting the same concerns on Facebook.

“People with the smaller children that are bathing them, they’re the ones that really kind of report it,” said McClellan.

“And so, any time anybody says something that, ‘Oh, it’s really bad tonight,’ I always go and check mine as well and take a picture,” he continued.

News 5 reached out to South Alabama Utilities to get more information about these complaints and how they’re being resolved.

Brian K. Robinson with SAU released a statement saying:

“South Alabama Utilities has received calls about discolored water in this area and has sent representatives out to speak with customers and address their concerns. The water has been flushed and tested to ensure that it meets the drinking water standards and specifications set by ADEM and the EPA. Please contact us at 251-649-4316, and we will address your concerns.”

News 5 was not informed about why the water gets discolored.

“It keeps happening, you know. And so, we’re concerned about where is this water coming from. We’re not really even sure,” said McClellan.

News 5 also asked the utility company for a copy of the water quality report but could not obtain the test findings as of this writing.

Robinson with SAU said the water is safe for residents to consume.

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