Some Harlem residents say they’ve been dealing with brown, discolored water running from their faucets for weeks, prompting frustration, distrust and a rush to buy bottled water.
“When I got up this morning, I turned it on I was like really shocked it’s totally brown, it’s not even light, it’s brown,” said Harlem resident Rose Miller.
Miller said the problem has persisted throughout her apartment.
What You Need To Know
Harlem residents say brown, discolored water has been flowing from their faucets for weeks
The city’s Department of Environmental Protection says testing shows the water is safe to drink
DEP officials attribute the discoloration to naturally occurring minerals in the Croton Reservoir System
Residents are being urged to report brown water to 311 as hydrant flushing continues
“When I turn on my faucet in the kitchen, in the bathroom, I flush my toilet, the shower — brown, it’s just coming out brown and sediment is being left in the sink in the tub,” she said.
Other residents describe the same issue.
“It looks like poop water to be honest,” said another resident, Ali, who did not give his last name. “That’s just what it looks like — it looks like dirty water.”
Many say they’ve stopped using tap water altogether.
“Obviously we can’t drink it because we don’t know exactly what’s in it so I have to go and buy cases of water, so it’s terrible,” said Miller.
“We can’t drink from the tap — we have our Brita, but we go buy from the deli because we can’t drink that water,” added Ali.
The city’s Department of Environmental Protection told NY1 that testing confirms New York City’s drinking water remains safe. Officials say the discoloration is caused by naturally occurring minerals in the Upstate Croton Reservoir System, which serves parts of Upper Manhattan, Harlem and the Bronx.
According to the DEP, the mineral content can react to heat, making the discoloration more visible in hot water.
In a post on X, the agency said residents may see intermittent brown water this weekend as crews flush hydrants in the area, and urged anyone affected to report it to 311.
Still, residents said they’re not convinced.
“I doubt that because it tastes weird and the sediment it leaves behind — it’s just not safe at all,” said Ali. “That can’t be true. It’s not just the color, it’s what’s inside the water.”
“Obviously I’m not going to listen to that because, like I said, I have a family and we have neighbors — we’re not just gonna go for that, we’re not gonna drink the water when it’s brown,” said Miller.