Yellow sun, sure – but yellow water?

Funky color poses no risk to hotel guests

Yes, you flushed. As NAHJ convention attendees arrive at Fort Lauderdale hotels, they won’t find yellow journalism, but they will discover yellow water.

“I thought someone didn’t flush the toilet,” said Karine Medina, a manager with MSN Channels who is staying at the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club.

A colorful experience sure, but relax, it’s not dangerous. The reason for the tap water tint: iron and organic material – including decomposed leaves – that seeps into groundwater, says Pat Long, Fort Lauderdale’s environmental labs supervisor.

Hotels have taken note. Guests at the Grande found cards in their bathrooms explaining the “discoloration” comes from natural causes.

“Discoloration, are you kidding me?” said Hiram Enriquez, a news manager for Yahoo Inc. “Water has no color.” Hotel manager John Carns says the card idea came from “customer inquiries” – not complaints.

“People appreciate that we let them know ahead of time,” Carns said.

Not every hotel guest is affected. Delia Jalomo, chief designer of the Diario La Estrella, is staying at a hotel – she couldn’t remember the name – about a mile from the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. “I am staying in a dump,” she said. “But at least I have no yellow water.”

Contact Connie Llanos at connie.llanos.600@csun.edu.