Midland, Texas residents will soon receive notices about a recent violation in water treatment standards. The City of Midland Purification Plant did not meet the minimum requirements set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for turbidity levels in January and February 2026.
The notice, which will be included in upcoming water bills and posted on the city’s website, states that combined filter effluent turbidity readings were above 1.0 NTU in January 2026. Additionally, more than 5% of these readings exceeded 0.3 NTU during both January and February.
Turbidity measures how clear or cloudy water is due to suspended particles. According to city officials, a significant increase in manganese levels at the purification plant was detected in late January 2026. This was initially caused by a pump failure and made worse by freezing weather conditions at that time.
As a result, turbidity levels temporarily surpassed regulatory limits for water clarity. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates manganese under secondary standards, which means it does not pose a public health risk at the levels found. However, concentrations above 0.05 ppm can cause discoloration of water.
The Utilities Department has taken immediate and long-term steps to address the issue and protect both the treatment facility and its chemical feed systems. A full cleanout of the storage reservoir contributing to elevated manganese began on February 19, 2026, as part of winter maintenance activities. This work is expected to finish by mid- to late March.
In the meantime, water sources have been rerouted to an auxiliary supply to prevent further manganese from entering the system. Customers may see temporary yellow discoloration in toilet tanks or plumbing fixtures as residual manganese is flushed out; this condition should be short-lived.
“We appreciate your patience as we complete these corrective actions and remain committed to maintaining safe and reliable water service,” stated city officials.
Residents with questions can contact Raymond Saddler, Operations Manager, at (432) 681-7606.
The City of Midland emphasizes values such as excellence, innovation, integrity, and inclusivity to support community unity and prosperity (official website). In addition to managing municipal operations like water services, Midland maintains over 1,364 acres of parkland that includes neighborhood parks and recreational facilities (official website). Located in the Permian Basin region of Texas (official website), Midland plays a role in global energy production while providing high-quality services aimed at enhancing community well-being (official website).
For more information about this notice: www.midlandtexas.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11409/February-2026-Turbidity-Public-Notice-tier2