MIDLANDERS TO RECEIVE NOTICE ABOUT TURBIDITY LEVEL IN WATER
(Feb. 20, 2026)
MIDLAND, TEXAS -- Midland residents will see notices of a surface water treatment technique violation in a future water bill and on the city’s website.
The notice will state that the City of Midland Purification Plan failed to meet minimum Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirements in January and February for:
· combined filter effluent turbidity readings above 1.0 NTU. (January 2026)
· More than 5% of the combined filter effluent turbidity readings were above 0.3 NTU for the months of January & February 2026.
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity or cloudiness, caused by the concentration of suspended particles in the water column. The Midland Water Purification Plant experienced a significant spike in manganese levels during the latter part of January 2026. This increase was initially caused by a pump failure and was further exacerbated by freezing conditions during that same period.
As a result, turbidity levels throughout the facility temporarily exceeded regulatory requirements for water clarity. While manganese is regulated under secondary standards by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and does not pose a public health risk at the levels detected, concentrations above 0.05 ppm may cause discoloration of water.
The Utilities Department has implemented immediate and long-term corrective measures to protect the treatment facility and its chemical feed systems. As part of these efforts, the manganese-contributing storage reservoir is undergoing a full cleanout in conjunction with the plant’s winter maintenance program. Cleanout operations began on Feb. 19, 2026, and are anticipated to be completed by mid- to late March 2026.
In the interim, water sources have been rerouted to an auxiliary supply to prevent further infiltration of residual manganese from the affected reservoir. As the system clears, customers may notice temporary yellow discoloration in toilet tanks, plumbing fixtures, or hot water heaters. This condition is expected to be short-term as manganese is flushed from the plant and distribution system.
We appreciate your patience as we complete these corrective actions and remain committed to maintaining safe and reliable water service.
If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact Raymond Saddler, Operations Manager, at (432) 681-7606.
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Online: www.midlandtexas.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11409/February-2026-Turbidity-Public-Notice-tier2