City officials ID possible source of discolored tap water

FRESNO, CA -- It's been 140 days into northeast Fresno's water mystery.

City leaders held their second community meeting at Kastner Intermediate School Tuesday to address their latest research regarding discolored tap water.

Over the past few months, they've tested dozens of homes. There are results but even more questions.

There are a few things the city knows for sure, about 270 homes have requested water testing.

The problem is with galvanized piping inside homes, but why some pipes and not others have officials confounded.

"People have been sending us photos of pipes they have, pipe samples, it's been a lot of work," director of public utilities Tom Esqueda explained.

Those tips led the city to this important discovery.

They say certain pipes found in Fresno homes were made in Asia and has been the subject of several class action lawsuits.

"Now that we know that we've got a pipe that has some issues with it, can we adjust the chemistry to account for that," Esqueda said.

Several families expressed interest at the meeting to redo their plumbing.

The corrosive pipes have been linked to higher levels of lead in some homes.

And removal is the only permanent way city officials say you can get rid of discolored water.

"I think it's really serious because lead is dangerous, especially to children," said Betsey Lumbye, who's home has discolored water, she says. "So, I think it's important to get this information out."

The city says work doesn't stop here.

They are attempting to change development codes so future homes won't be built with these problematic pipes.

A delayed reaction to a long time problem. But one neighbor says it's better late than never.

"I was impressed with their forthrightness and also with the amount of study and analysis," Lumbye said. it sounds like they have a lot more to do."