City says it happens a couple of times each year
If you recently noticed an odor or bad taste to your water in Newcastle, it’s because the water at Lake Stanley Draper is turning over.
City Manager Kevin Self said the water being supplied to Newcastle by Oklahoma City, comes from Draper Lake, and his office was contacted by Oklahoma City regarding the foul odor and taste. Self said they told him this event happens approximately twice per year.
To help out, Oklahoma City has started a carbon treatment to alleviate the problems. He said the water is not harmful, although the odor, discoloration and taste may be unpleasant.
City of Newcastle Director of Information Technology Scott Hannan said Oklahoma City generally acts very quickly to remediate the problem once it is known.
Because of some comments on social media, Self also said he wants the public to know that the City of Newcastle has not produced fresh water at its WATER on page 3 water plant since October 29, 2024, so Newcastle residents are receiving Oklahoma City water only at this time.
WATER: City utilizes both OKC, Newcastle water
Newcastle has a take-or-pay agreement and a daily reservation of water with Oklahoma City. Self said the daily reservation is paid for regardless of the amount taken.
“During the late fall and winter months, water usage drops,” he said. “However, Newcastle will still pay for the established daily reservation. So the city uses Oklahoma City water as the primary source typically from November through mid- to late-March.”
Self said once water usage increases during the spring and summer, Newcastle will produce as much water as possible to offset the water needed from the Oklahoma City supply.
He said there are two benefits from this strategy. The first is maintaining the city’s daily reservation, while the second is the City being able to do water plant maintenance during these months.
Hannan added, “The City also acts to fix water concerns when we produce water ourselves.”
The City Manager said if there are questions, stop by Newcastle City Hall and he will be glad to explain further.
Hannan said the City also has a contact page on their website for officially reporting concerns. Go to https://newcastleok. gov/contact.
