MCCOMB, OH (Toledo News Now) - The Village of McComb was busy distributing water to residents Tuesday, but not because of the algae.
Village officials say they have been dealing with a manganese issue for quite sometime and only began handed out water Tuesday because the manganese has caused a discoloration in the water and residents prefer bottled water.
Manganese gives the water a brownish tint and can affect the taste. Experts say exposure to high amounts over years can lead to a syndrome that resembles Parkinson's disease. But according to the EPA, the village water does not exceed the allowed amount of contaminants when it comes to Manganese and the water is safe to drink.
"We're still not at any high levels of contaminants, according to the EPA. We're constantly taking tests, according to the EPA. Bacteria tests and stuff and those have all come back negative, so that's where we're at right now," said village administrator Kevin Siferd.
But one resident says shes concerned about what's really going on with the water.
"I think it's very weird that four weeks after it started, two weeks after they said that it's fine to drink, that all of a sudden it would be necessary to give us bottled water," said McComb resident Rose Morrison.
Again the EPA maintains that the water is safe to drink. Still the village will be handing out water every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the municipal building until further notice. To receive water you must be a village resident and bring an ID. Only two cases are allowed per family per week.
