Erin Brockovich is calling on leaders in Indiana to step up after hearing disturbing reports of ‘fluorescent yellow’ tap water flowing into residents’ homes.
The water problem, centered in the town of Lapel, came to Brockovich’s attention after Brianna Davis, a concerned resident and mother, contacted her directly following months of unanswered questions and ineffective responses from local and state officials.
‘This story starts with Brianna Davis,’ the environmental activist wrote in a scathing report. ‘She’s been dealing with water that looks scary and undrinkable. Like any concerned parent, she contacted city officials, the EPA, and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).’
Davis, who has lived in the area for five years, described the water running from her faucets as ‘fluorescent yellow’ – likening it to urine in her bathtub.
‘It almost looked like urine in the bath,’ she told FOX59/CBS4.
Despite repeated assurances from town officials that the water is safe and needs no boiling, Davis says state and federal experts have told her the opposite.
‘I called the EPA and IDEM, and they both told me that it is not advisable to drink discolored water,’ she said. ‘Is it legal? Yes. But is it safe for us? No.’
Erin Brockovich, known for exposing one of the largest water contamination scandals in U.S. history, is calling on leaders in Indiana to step up after hearing disturbing reports of ‘fluorescent yellow’ tap water flowing into residents’ homes
Lapel, Indiana locals shared pictures of the discolored water with the environmental activist, likening the color to ‘urine’
IDEM insists water samples meet the Safe Drinking Water Act’s minimum standards.
They’ve attributed the discoloration to ‘routine hydrant flushing,’ a claim repeated by the Madison County Health Department.
However, Brockovich – known for exposing one of the largest water contamination scandals in US history – and local residents argue that compliance with federal limits doesn’t necessarily mean safety.
‘There’s a big difference,’ Davis said. ‘We deserve water that is truly safe, not just legally compliant.’
IDEM maintains that only ‘isolated complaints’ have been received, however, community members claim differently,
One resident, Danielle Flanigan, took to Facebook to share her concerns, along with pictures of the ‘urine-colored’ water flowing from her faucet.
‘This is what Lapel and many other Madison county towns are dealing with. I was in the shower when this happened. How the hell is this ok? They’re saying it’s considered ‘safe’ to drink, cook and shower in. I call BULLS***.’
Flanigan added that her water bill has increased significantly because she’s forced to let the tap run until the water flows clear.
Brianna Davis, who has lived in the area for five years, described the water running from her faucets as ‘fluorescent yellow’
Despite repeated assurances from town officials that the water is safe and needs no boiling, Davis says state and federal experts have told her the opposite. Pictured: Discolored water flowing from Brianna Davis’ bathtub in Lapel, Indiana
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management ‘insists water samples meet the Safe Drinking Water Act’s minimum standards, attributing the discoloration to ‘routine hydrant flushing.’ Pictured: Discolored water seen in Brianna Davis’ Lapel, Indiana home
‘I’m stuck having to waste gallons of water (running it) until it clears, multiple times a month. l’m stuck paying HIGH water bills.
‘I have to deal with it ruining my tub, sink, washer, clothes etc. My child and I have to shower in this sh**. We should not have to deal with this.’
Brockovich has since criticized town leaders for failing to act meaningfully and called on them to take accountability.
‘The residents of these communities deserve more than bureaucratic deflection; they deserve clean water, honest answers, and leaders who prioritize public health,’ Brockovich said.
‘The burden for the discoloration and concern for the Lapel water falls upon you as leaders,’ Brockovich added, echoing the words of another resident, identified only as Stephanie, who voiced her anger at a September 18 Lapel Town Council meeting.
‘The water concerns in the town of Lapel are growing increasingly worse,’ Stephanie told the council.
One resident, Danielle Flanigan, took to Facebook to share her concerns, along with pictures of the ‘urine-colored’ water flowing from her sink’s faucet
Stephanie also accused the council of mismanaging grant funds meant to resolve the water issues and criticized them for staying silent as conditions worsened. Pictured: Lapel Town Hall in Lapel, Indiana
‘Right now, nothing else should matter besides the health and safety of our local citizens.’
Stephanie also accused the council of mismanaging grant funds meant to resolve the water issues and criticized them for staying silent as conditions worsened.
‘Doing nothing because we don’t know is not an option,’ she said. ‘It’s no longer acceptable to let days and weeks and months pass by while community residents experience these water conditions week after week.’
One man even brought a jug of discolored water directly from his home to the meeting.
‘Don’t look too good to me,’ he said plainly.
Yet town officials offered little in the way of immediate solutions.
One council member urged residents to stop posting on Facebook and instead report individual issues to town hall, while another claimed outside engineers were involved and testing met all required standards.
‘Simply giving no answers and no resolution and communicating nothing is not acceptable,’ Stephanie said. ‘It’s not acceptable behavior as a leader, and it’s not acceptable to the people.’
