Discoloration In Water Rankles Upper Manhattan Residents

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Multiple Upper Manhattan residents complained that their tap water was discolored with a brown tinge Friday.

The Department of Environmental Protection said a water main that had to be shut down was to blame.

CBS2 received numerous calls about discolored water in Washington Heights and Inwood. Lauren Mahana shared a photo of three glasses of brownish water, and said she had been told it was drinkable but, "no thank you."

"My biggest worry is my baby," Mahana told CBS2. "She actually likes to drink water every few hours and I can't provide that for her. And actually the grocery store is completely out because of the blizzard."

The DEP said it shut down a water main in Upper Manhattan on Friday for necessary maintenance, causing some disturbance in the delivery system.

Late Friday, the department was opening fire hydrants to flush out the discolored water.

The DEP emphasized that the water was safe, and anyone with discolored water should let their tap run for a few minutes until the water was clear and cold.