Cadiz council tackles continued water discoloration, billing complaints

The Cadiz water issues that surfaced over the summer have returned, though not because of turbidity readings, which Village Administrator Brandon Ludwig said remain within acceptable limits. Instead, problems with discoloration persist. At the Oct. 9 council meeting, a resident brought a sample of brown-tinted water to show council members during a packed session.

The exchange was civil, but tensions rose when residents were told the Environmental Protection Agency had deemed the water safe to drink. “How can anyone drink water that looks like that?” one resident asked, a sentiment several council members appeared to share.

The discussion began with questions about water bills. Ludwig said he could not make billing adjustments without council approval and described some of the problems as “sporadic” and beyond normal expectations. Councilmember Derek Sefsick noted his bill showed 11,000 gallons of usage and a $400 charge, adding, “Ain’t no way.” Council members discussed averaging bills and authorizing Ludwig to make adjustments.

“He’s the one that sees it every day, so he’s the one that needs to handle it,” Councilmember John Vermillion said.

Councilmember Sal Deluca reminded the group that they had previously agreed not to make adjustments, but Vermillion clarified that decision had been related to leak issues. He added that while some problems stemmed from the village’s side, not all did.

When one resident questioned why there were so many billing errors, Ludwig said the meters were not misread, but some results had fluctuated. “A lot of our meters are older,” he said, noting that replacement of all meters is part of a larger project underway.

The discussion shifted when the same resident asked if the water was safe to drink, then offered cups and the discolored water sample to council members. “They’re saying it’s safe to drink,” she said.

Councilmember Billy Hyde acknowledged that guidance came from the EPA but agreed with the resident’s concerns. Council later agreed to reimburse residents who already paid inaccurate bills and to temporarily suspend shutoff notices under certain conditions. Village Solicitor Chuck Kidder was directed to include those provisions in an emergency ordinance, with adjustments to be made on a “per customer” basis based on volume and dollar amount.

Ludwig offered several possible explanations for the discoloration, including the installation of new water lines, meter replacements and hydrant flushing, all of which can stir sediment. “I will say our treatments have come way, way down,” he told attendees.

Council also approved reinstating a water truck for public use, now stationed at the former Family Dollar site on North Main Street.