Nirali Patel will not touch MSU’s water.
“MSU’s water is horrible,” the physiology sophomore said. “Black specks come out of the faucet when you turn it on, it tastes like iron and it creates a yellow rust. I doubt it’s even clean. I think MSU should either change its pipes, or get a new filter system to clean the water and make it more usable.”
Some ASMSU officials feel the same.
As a result, ASMSU’s Student Assembly will vote Thursday on whether or not to pursue research on what it would cost to prevent the water from becoming discolored, poor-tasting and possibly unsafe.
According to Bob Ellerhorst, director of utilities at MSU’s Physical Plant, there is nothing wrong with MSU’s water.
“Nothing has changed related to the last review,” he said. “We take samples and give them to the state lab. They run the analysis and get back to us. The water is safe.”
There is a large annual report sent to the state of Michigan on July 1 of every year, Ellerhorst said. The Physical Plant tests water samples weekly.
MSU’s water is transported from groundwater wells connected with Saginaw’s aquifer.
Nigel Scarlett, ASMSU’s vice chairperson for external affairs, said he doesn’t think that MSU’s Physical Plant is lying, but he said they need to realize that many students are still refusing to use the water, regardless if it is tested.
Ellerhorst said the discoloration has nothing to do with underground pipes. The discoloration comes from a change in water flow when maintenance is performed on the system. There is a possibility of picking up sedimentation that has dropped out of the water when the flow changes directions.
At times, red water is the result, Ellerhorst said.
“Before other amenities are added to dorms, such as updated cafes and coffee stations, the basics need be addressed,” physiology senior Rupesh Kotecha said. “Having access to clean water, either from the sink or shower, is a fundamental we are living without in dorms.”
To make changes to the color and taste, MSU would have to invest in constructing a water softening and filtering facility which would cost millions of dollars, Ellerhorst said.
“That would be the answer to making the water so it is more physically appealing to the eye,” he said.
Student Assembly Chairperson Michael Leahy said there are other solutions to solving the problem temporarily, such as placing water-filtering machines in all the dorms.
However, some students think the water is improving year to year.
Premedical and English sophomore Michael Mazur, who has lived in Bryan Hall for the last two years, said he remembers e-mails and flyers sent out informing students to avoid drinking, showering or doing laundry until the problem was fixed.
“However, coming back this year, the water tastes normal and the showers make me clean,” he said.
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