The Manganese Problem: Unpacking Salado’s Tap Water Discoloration

The city of Salado, Texas has been dealing with major issue involving the water in the area. What has been going on, and what is the cause of it? Here's what is known at the time of writing.

What Happened With Salado And It's Water Supply?

The problem has roots beginning all the way back in 2024. According to KCEN, residents of Salado voiced concerns about both the color and smell of the water. The yellow tinted, ugly smelling water was said by Salado Water Supply Corporation to be safe for humans to drink, but many did not want to take the chance to do so.

At the time, a resident of Salado, Tasha Decker was quoted as saying "We're brushing our teeth with bottles of water now...It's just, it's killing my paycheck." Decker also about the water:

"I wish they would just go out to different areas and actually test the water themselves. I'm worried for my kid and worried for my dogs and worried for my cats and we're worried for myself."

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A year later, it seems that things haven't changed much, with the yellow water still be seen in the city.

Salado Water Problems Continue One Year Later

KCEN reports that the situation hasn't seen improvement since last year. It was revealed by the news organization that residents of the city needed to use water filters because the water is still yellow. In a statement from Vanessa Welch:

"We've actually got the water going through four filters before it comes to us just to get it to the state that it doesn't smell and it's not yellow."

Per Ricky Preston, Salado General Manager, the water is still ok for people to drink. Preston states that summer floods in Texas have caused a rise in magnesium, and "This water is 100% safe to consume, cook with, whatever you want to do with it. It just has a touch of a color."

As this is a developing story, we will have more information when it becomes available.