The City of Norman shut off its purchased water connection from Oklahoma City on Aug. 24, after treatment problems at the Lake Stanley Draper Water Treatment Plant sent discolored water into northwest Norman homes.
The water is safe to drink.
Both cities confirmed it meets drinking water quality standards, but the color change prompted enough resident complaints that Norman staff paused the feed and began pumping more water from the city's own wells to make up the difference.
Northwest Norman receives most of the water Norman purchases from Oklahoma City. Crews are flushing lines in that area to clear remaining discoloration, according to a notice posted on the city's website.
Oklahoma City Utilities officials said naturally occurring iron and manganese may be causing the discoloration, and laboratory testing is underway to confirm the cause. The city adjusted its treatment process Monday morning to improve removal of those minerals, but officials said it will take time for cleaner water to move through the large distribution system.
OKC Utilities estimated customers could begin seeing clearer water by Aug. 26, though timing will vary by location.
The discoloration also affected other communities that buy water wholesale from Oklahoma City, including Yukon.
The incident comes as Norman was already monitoring water demand amid weeks of triple-digit temperatures, with officials saying Aug. 21 that the city's supply remained stable but could face restrictions if high usage continued.
What northwest Norman residents should do
Residents who notice discolored tap water can run water through their faucets to help clear it, according to the city's announcement. OKC Utilities recommends running cold water from a bathtub faucet for several minutes to check whether it clears.
The city advises against washing light-colored clothing until the water runs clear. OKC Utilities warned that line flushing in affected areas could temporarily cause additional discoloration.
Norman has not announced when it plans to restore the Oklahoma City water connection. Customers who continue to see discoloration can contact Oklahoma City Utilities Customer Service at 405-297-2833.
