Portable device successful in clearing up smelly, orange and brown water in Niless

NILES

A portable flushing device attached to a hydrant on Carnegie Avenue has so far been successful in clearing up badly discolored water.

Now, the city hopes for the same result from a second flusher on Nebraska Avenue.

Residents of the two streets and Difford Drive have long complained about brown and orange water in their faucets and toilets. Michele Puccetti, who lives on Carnegie, said the water “smelled like something burning.”

Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith loaned the portable flushers to the city as a test to see if the battery-operated devices could eliminate the issue temporarily.

Residents say, for the most part, they are pleased with what they have seen since the first one was installed Aug. 17.

“It’s gotten better, but I did notice some slight orange coloring the other day,” Puccetti said. “It had cleared up after they installed the flusher.”

“The water has been pretty good, and it’s nowhere near like the problem we had,” said Ron Masciangelo, who also lives on Carnegie. “It was disgusting, but it isn’t any longer.”

Read more about the matter in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.