Cookeville Water Department Addresses Water Discoloration

Cookeville Water Department customers experiencing discolored water Monday do not have reason for concern.

Water Department Director Barry Turner said the discoloration occurred after a water main break on Sunday.

“That sort of caused some reverse flow on one of the lines and increased velocity by having one of the lines shut down,” Turner said. “So it scoured the sides of the pipe and kind of stirred up some sediment.”

Turner said this sort of event is common, but typically does not have such a widespread effect. He said because the water main break happened close to the treatment plant itself, it affected more of Cookeville’s water supply including utility districts supplied by the city.

Turner said the situation is already being addressed and the water should return to normal by tonight. The department will continue to flush the water throughout the week.