The yellow tint and odor emanating from Hanover's water does not pose any health risk nor does it affect lab experiments in science classes.
The problems are partly due to the weather and will dissipate naturally, said Director of Facilities, Operations and Management Michael Getter.
In order to address the College's concerns about the water, Town and College officials met with each other last week to discuss the water quality. Getter said College officials present at this meeting received the same explanation of the water's odor and color that was given to the Valley News.
The color and odor are partly due to oxidized iron, manganese and "organic matter and seasonal agitation of the reservoir," according to a recent article in the Valley News.
Getter said, "We have had a lot of snow and rain and a quick melt off undoubtedly had an effect on the clarity of the reservoir."
Hanover Water President Carl Long told the Valley News problems with the water's color "tend to wax and wane and are not a problem for everyone." Administrators at Kendal Senior Citizens' Center and Hanover schools have not reported any complaints about the water.
Hanover Water Works Company estimated that Hanover residents have made a few dozen complaints about the smell and color of the water, according to the Valley News.
In addition to complaints from the Hanover community, Getter said, "there have been a number of people from the Residential Life part of campus that have raised questions" about the quality of the water.
"We haven't received any complaints about odor that I am aware of, but that does not mean that there aren't any," Getter said. "Water that is for showers is at times a bit cloudy."
Yellow water will have no academic impact on the College.
Getter said he does not think the color and odor of the water have any effect on science courses at the College because water used for academic purposes is "purified further."
Senior Project Manager for Dufresne-Henry, Incorporated Richard Menge told the Valley News reservoirs go through a process called "turnover" each spring. This is when melting ice, wind and temperature fluctuations cause a shift in the layers of the water in the reservoir.
While some students at the College were disturbed by the water, others said they did not notice either the yellowish tint or the odor.
"It seems like it has been light yellow or light brown since the beginning of the year," Alan Lemely '99 said. "I have noticed an odd taste since I came back from home."
The water "is just not normal water color," Marc Brosseau '98 said. "It doesn't taste any different but sometimes there is sand in our toilet."
But Jason Neeser '99 said "I haven't noticed any smell in the water. It seems like the normal color."
