Kingwood neighbors want clarity after noticing murky water; City of Houston says construction is to blame 

Residents in Kingwood’s Kings Mill subdivision are raising concerns about brown water flowing from their faucets, with some worried about potential health impacts.

Elizabeth, a resident battling cancer, has been particularly concerned about the discolored water appearing in faucets, toilets, and washing machines throughout the neighborhood.

“I don’t know how long it’s been going on. My cousin asked me a few weeks ago if our water is brown,” Elizabeth said.

She noted that she hadn’t initially noticed the issue due to her black sink and shower fixtures.

The situation is especially worrisome for Elizabeth, who now also suffers from MAC lung disease, which her doctors believe she contracted from either water, soil, or air exposure during her cancer treatments over the past year.

Water Source and Official Response

The neighborhood receives water through Montgomery County MUD #98, which purchases its supply from the City of Houston’s Kingwood Public Water Supply. According to Houston city officials, the brown discoloration stems from naturally-occurring minerals, including iron and manganese, in the ground water supply. Officials say recent construction in the Kingwood area has stirred up these minerals.

In response to residents’ concerns, city officials have installed an auto flusher near the affected area, which runs for 30 minutes daily to help clear the system.

Ongoing Monitoring

While residents report some improvement in water clarity since the installation of the auto flusher, questions remain about the timeline for a complete resolution. City officials are currently working on providing additional information about the permanence of their solution.

“I get a little bit of comfort knowing they’re trying to do something,” Elizabeth said. “I do want to see clean water coming out of the tap.”

The city says it continues to monitor the situation and work toward a permanent solution for affected residents.