Those who often fill their water bottles from a sink or fountain on campus and have noticed the water being an odd color need not worry.
Campus officials are aware some campus water supplies are dispensing cloudy water as a result of construction. However, they agree the water remains safe to drink– if you don’t mind the color.
If you’re a resident on West Campus, chances are you’ve noticed a change in water quality over the last semester. The taste may be the same, but if you’re filling up a water bottle, the water going inside isn’t always clear, but white. According to construction supervisor, Scott Scherer , this should not be cause for concern.
”There are several reasons the water could be coming out cloudy, but none of them are cause for alarm,” Scherer said. “Sometimes oxidized pipes will do the trick.”
As a member of University Housing, and specifically Facilities, Scherer deals a lot with residence halls and says he hasn’t heard of any complaints.
“I have a feeling it might be from all the construction around, it’s probably just sediments settling in the water, minerals and things,” Scherer said.
These sediments and minerals are not dangerous to ingest, according to Scherer , but the Environmental Protection Agency has a different opinion.
According to their website, “sediments are fragmented materials that originate from weathering and erosion of rocks or unconsolidated deposits and are transported by, suspended in, or deposited by water.” The website further delineates sediments into two groups: contaminated, and suspended and bedded. According to Scherer , the kind caused by construction waste is suspended and bedded.
While the EPA does not allude to negative biological effects for humans ingesting these sediments, several studies attribute these sediments to causing illness to marine life. Though marine animals are not in attendance at N.C . State, some wonder whether students should also be ingesting sediments harmful to any organism.
Clara Hicks, human biology sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says she prefers her water clean. “Even if sediments are technically safe, there’s a reason why they took them out in the first place,” Hicks said.
As many on campus know, construction on the new Talley Student Center began this past summer and is scheduled to continue through 2014. Because of the construction, students at N.C . State may be dealing with water issues unknown to other local campuses.
”I have never experienced a change in water quality on campus at UNC ,” said Hicks.
Scherer decided to conduct more research. “I do work with Bragaw Hall a lot, I’m going to check out the second floor lounge and see if there’s something up with the water there,” Scherer said.
Since his investigation, water on West Campus seems to be crystal clear.