DeKalb County officials said routine maintenance caused the issues with brown water recently reported in Decatur’s Oakhurst neighborhood.

In a news release, the county said residents of the Oakhurst area started reporting brown water discoloration on Tuesday afternoon. Crews were performing maintenance on water main valves at the time.

“The discoloration is a result of iron in the pipes being stirred up when water flow is disrupted,” the news release said. "Iron is not a health hazard, which is why there is no boil water advisory in effect.

DeKalb watershed employees flushed lines to address the issue, officials said, but residents are encouraged to run faucets inside and outside of their homes to clear the internal plumbing of any residual discoloration.

Anyone continuing to experience issues should call 770-270-6243.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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