HOUSATONIC, Mass. - Residents of Housatonic Village in Great Barrington continue to deal with the long-standing issue of brown water.

While the state has said the manganese levels in the water are aesthetic, Housatonic Water Works, the village's private water company, is working eliminate the mineral from the town’s system.

“This has been going on for years but it seems to be getting worse right now," town Selectboard Chairman Stephen Bannon said. "It doesn’t seem to be getting better. It is especially bad in the warm weather.”

“We got brown water, people are bathing their kids in brown water," Ahmed McClennon of Housatonic said. "Our faucet water's brown, our toilet water's brown, our shower water's brown sometimes.”

Housatonic residents want to know when their water will be consistently clear. Housatonic Water Works is working with New England Water Solutions on a filter system which is showing positive results so far, but is still pending state’s department of environmental protection’s approval.

In a public meeting Tuesday night, the company said they’re trying to streamline the year-long testing with the MA DEP, but residents are concerned about having to wait.

“I think they’re doing the best they can though," McClennon said. "But something has to change because, some people, we can’t drink this water, you know.”

Bannon said the state legislature could grant the town $100,000 to address the issue. The board will decide how the money is spent. 

“Some of the ways could be large bottles of water for the residents who are most effected," Bannon said. "It also could include a water filling station so people could fill up 5-gallon jugs and they would have actually drinking water and home cooking water at home.”

“It’s a step into the right way," McClennon said. "But other than that, I don’t know, it’s really bad out here."

Bannon said the town understands residents and business owners are frustrated. 

“It’s not everyday but it’s like a surprise," Bannon said. "You can’t do laundry. It’s not the right way to live.”

For now, most said they’ll continue to find ways of buying water to ensure a clean source. 

“Well you gotta do what you gotta do, you know," McClennon said. "I don’t know who’s in charge because I’m fairly new here, but if they’re not going to do anything, then you got to do what you can to protect yourself as well, and those around you.”

The town’s Selectboard will meet with the Great Barrington Fire District, which is not a town agency, on Monday, November 21 to discuss working with Housatonic Water Works. Bannon said the Selectboard is also looking into ways other private companies or a semi-municipal water company can help or possibly take over the village’s water.