By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
A Dover Drive resident addressed the City of Salina's board of Commissioners on the discolored water problem.
Sheree Spratlen said at Monday's public meeting that she has been in contact with the City of Salina’s Water Department about this issue since July 23, 2025.
She asked the city for a permanent solution, reimbursement for the previously paid water bills, assistance for the cost of bottled water, while considering the damage to appliances and household items due to discolored water.
Mayor Mike Hoppock said he will discuss with City Manager Jacob Wood and Director of Utilities Martha Tasker for a possible solution.
Tasker told Salina Post she has spoken with various residents of Dover about the issue.
Read more: City of Salina speaks on discolored water at neighborhood
Tasker said back in 2011 - 2013, water main replacements were and are being conducted throughout the city. The Dover Drive project to replace the water main from Broadway Blvd. to Republic Ave. would be a 2028 project.
However, Tasker would like to move this project to 2027.
For this to be moved to next year, it would need to be approved by the City Commission.
“We will try to get you some answers and it needs to be made a priority” said Hoppock to Spratlen.
Wood said it is appropriate to conduct a meeting with the neighborhood on solving the issue.
"It upsets you to the point that you just want to cry," Spratlen told Salina Post.
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Salina Post spoke with the City of Salina Utilities Department regarding the discolored water along Dover Drive.
According to the Director of Utilities, Martha Tasker stated she has spoken with residents of Dover about the issue.
Tasker said back in 2011 - 2013, water main replacements were and are being conducted throughout the city. The Dover Drive project to replace the water main from Broadway Blvd. to Republic Ave. would be a 2028 project.
However, Tasker would like to move this project to 2027.
For this to be moved to next year, it would need to be approved by the City Commission.
Currently, the utilities department is performing hydrant flushing to improve the water quality along Dover.
She said the water along Dover is "not dirty every minute and there are times when it is clear," depending on the time of day.
The City of Salina's annual fire hydrant flushing started on May 26, but temporarily stopped due to the recent severe weather. The annual flushing will run through June 29 and is meant to maintain the integrity of the water distribution system and to ensure the delivery of high-quality water.
Before a water main replacement project can proceed it needs to be designed, placed for bids, and constructed. Construction can take about a year, according to Tasker.
"It is not an overnight fix," she said. "We are well aware of discolored water at Dover."
Tasker added they are replacing many water mains across the city as well, which includes areas such as Larson, 11th and K-State Salina.