People living in manufactured housing communities across southeast Michigan say their water is brown and yellow.
They’re asking Local 4 to find out why.
For months, Local 4’s Kyla Russell has been diving into issues plaguing manufactured housing communities across the region.
One topic kept surfacing: the quality and color of the water coming out of their faucets.
Now, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, or EGLE, says high iron levels are the cause of the tea-like color.
Residents say they won’t drink the water because of its color, so they are buying filtered bottled water in bulk.
It’s a financial burden, they say they don’t need.
“That’s what the water would look like – and that’s not water, it’s tea,” Misty Gibson, who lives at Highland Greens Estates, said. “Gross. Disgusting. I don’t even give it to my animals.”
On Gibson’s front porch, you’ll find a pile of plastic water bottles.
She buys two cases every other day because she refuses to drink what’s pouring out of her tap.
“It’s orange and rusty,” Gibson said. “If I’m not going to drink it, I am not going to make anyone else drink it.”
Gibson has lived at Highland Greens Estates in Highland Township for 24 years.
Gibson’s fellow residents say the water has always been slightly murky, dating back to when their kids were on formula, and she wouldn’t use it for that.
But in recent years, Gibson says it’s gotten much worse.
“Probably started getting really bad around 2015 and then it’s just gone from there,” Gibson said.
Local 4 reached out to Highland Township. They say the manufactured housing community is privately owned and that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) oversees it.
Local 4 reached out to EGLE.
“The White Lake and Highland townships have naturally occurring high iron levels in the water.
This can lead to discoloration, which can be heightened in the Spring due to the stirring of iron sediments caused by Spring system flushing … iron levels aren’t regulated for health under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The recommended limit for iron levels exists to address taste, odor, and staining issues, rather than health risks.”
EGLE
Although high iron levels in tap water are generally considered a nuisance rather than a safety issue, some health agencies say very high levels should be avoided by infants and people with a hereditary condition called hemochromatosis, which causes the body to absorb too much iron.
We asked one of Gibson’s neighbors to draw a bath as if she would for her kids; this is what we saw.
“Are there times you guys have run out of water and you’re like ‘Well, we don’t have it until we can go to the store tomorrow,’” Local 4 asked.
“Many times,” Gibson said. “Many, many times. Then you bounce your account, Doordashing them a bottle of water from 7/11 just so they have water for school.”
“In response to the discoloration, the Highland Greens is conducting monthly flushing to reduce iron levels.
The park has also been treating the water with polyphosphate for iron sequestration; however, the concentrations of iron are above the recommended levels for this type of treatment technique.
Given these levels, EGLE has advised them to consider conducting an alternatives analysis to determine if the use of polyphosphate for iron sequestration is the best available control technology for the system and is suggesting they consider filtration.”
EGLE
Local 4 reached out to the owner of Highland Greens Estates, Sun Communities.
“We acquired Highland Greens in September 2020 and since that time, has invested more than $1 million in upgrading, maintaining, and operating the community’s water system.
As you may know, Highland Greens is served by a private well system that is managed by a Michigan-licensed third-party contractor, and the water system is operated in compliance with all applicable State laws and regulations, including those set forth by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Contrary to your claim, at no time has EGLE recommended or mandated the installation of a filtration system at Highland Greens.”
Sun Communities
EGLE tells Local 4 that they have made the recommendation and provided a 2023 document.
During EGLE’s summary in the latter, it said in part, “EGLE is strongly recommending installation of an Iron Removal System or connection to municipal water as a long-term solution to the drinking water concerns at Highland Greens.”
We have reached back to Sun Communities and have not heard back.
It’s not just happening at Highland Greens Estates, though.
“So, this is your bathroom, and obviously, it’s yellow?” Local 4 asked.
“Yes,” Michelle Smith said. Smith lives at Cedarbook Estates, about 10 minutes from Highland Greens Estates.
“And it’s because of the water?” Local 4 asked.
“Yep,” Smith said.
EGLE says Cedarbrook Estate’s staff is in the final stages of the permitting process for an iron treatment plant, which should help reduce iron levels.
“The safety and peaceful enjoyment of Cedarbrook manufactured home community is ownership’s top priority.
The water supply at Cedarbrook is and has been safe to utilize by all residents.
The well water system is regularly maintained and tested by third party licensed operators.
The issues presented solely relate to discoloration of the water and not contamination. Ownership has voluntarily committed to invest millions of dollars (without the mandate or requirement be EGLE) to remedy the discoloration issue via the installation of a water treatment system.
This water treatment system will proactively reduce levels of iron in drinking water for the community that may result in discoloration.”
The owner of Cedarbrook Estates
“If someone could fix it, what would you say to them?” Local 4 asked.
“Please fix my water,” Smith said.
“Sometimes when you empty your water tank, it’s cleaner than the water,” Gibson said.
While iron in the water is not a health concern, it can cause real issues if not treated properly, including an unpleasant taste and a red-brown color that can lead to rust stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry.
It can also lead to a build-up in the dishwasher.
Here are some helpful links EGLE provided that might be worth including.
Here is some additional information on how water systems in the area are addressing high iron levels:
https://www.whitelaketwp.com/water/page/aspen-meadows-iron-filtration-plant-online