Cloudy explanation for water problem

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Families and businesses in downtown Wilmington say something was in their water Thursday evening. Despite alerting the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority of the problem, they were given no explanation for the conditions.

Bill Barry says his toilet looked as though it hadn’t been flushed, but when he tried himself, the water only got worse. The water from his sink also contained debris. Barry says he alerted the CFPUA and asked if they would put out a boil water advisory.

“And she responded, ‘No, it just happened,’ and they’re basically not going to do that” Barry said. “And I said, ‘Well, should I be using my water?’ And she said, ‘Absolutely not. You shouldn’t be using your water.'”

A CFPUA spokesperson tells us the debris was calcium caused by an increase in pressure within the water line. The authority recommends customers run their lines until it is completely clear before drinking the water.

The CFPUA says it has no idea how many people were affected by the debris, but several of Barry’s neighbors and the Pilot House restaurant also say they saw discoloration in their water. The CFPUA says crews are working to clear the lines and that the water is not contaminated.