Breazeale addresses water concerns

RITZVILLE – In conjunction with the city’s ongoing water distribution project, Public Works Director Dave Breazeale said he has received several phone calls from residents concerned about cloudy and oily water.

At last Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Breazeale addressed those concerns.

“It’s unsightly, for sure,” he said. “But we lubricate our bearings with food-grade vegetable oil. It’s not hazardous to health. When the city blows out water lines, oil that’s solidified and collected in the pipes can end up in the water.”

In some cases, 50-year-old cast iron pipes may also accumulate rust resi...