Belmont Residents Complain Their Water Tastes, Smells Dirty

Updated: 11:59 AM Jul 5, 2010

Belmont residents are complaining that their water has a strange odor and taste. The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority has been filtering the water with charcoal but for one physically handicapped man, he says the water problem has been especially frustrating for him.

Posted: 6:21 PM Jul 3, 2010
Reporter: Jessica Jaglois
Email Address: Jessica.Jaglois@newsplex.com

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July 3, 2010

People in the Monte Vista apartments in Belmont have been complaining, saying their water tasted dirty. The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority has been filtering the water charcoal but residents say it's done little to help.

For Jay Bartlow, a quadriplegic living in Belmont, the water problem has been especially frustrating for him.

A motorcycle accident 17 years ago has left him wheelchair-bound. He says, because he's not as mobile as other people, it's hard for him to access any water outside of his home.

"It's three weeks later and the water still tastes like a dirty creek," Bartlow tells CBS19.

Bartlow says the odor is worse in the shower. The large amounts of water make the smell more pungent.

Several residents in the same apartment complex had similar complaints, though they do say the problem is getting better.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Cylla Location: Nassau on Jul 4, 2010 at 06:58 PM

I noticed 2 weeks ago that the water smelled and tasted like it had mildew in it, or it was moldy. So I'm paying for water to my house, and paying for water from the store to drink. Frustrating is too gentle a word for it!

Posted by: linda Location: charlottesville on Jul 4, 2010 at 08:07 AM

Come on already... fix the water!! There is no reason this day and time to have bad water. Of course water can get contaminated.... so now fix it. Everyone needs fresh water... especially a quad! Quads have enough going on without adding water with bad bacteria to the mix.

Posted by: citizen on Jul 4, 2010 at 12:33 AM

I hope the residents have an independent lab analyze the water and then give the results to the media. This would be so much more informative than merely complaining and waiting for the government to step in and fix the problem for free. If something is seriously wrong the government probably won't tell the people what is going on. This is why the public is foolish if they expect the government to act in their best interest.

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