Murray River towns could see brown tap water for months in wake of floods

The swollen Murray last month. A water expert says towns on the river are likely to see prolonged discoloration due to dissolved organic material. Photograph: Brendan Mccarthy/AAP

Brown filtered water is likely to persist for months in Murray River towns from New South Wales down to South Australia, as communities continue to deal with the aftermath of major flooding.

The Murray River council in Moama was forced to reassure residents its filtered water supply was safe to drink after a string of social media complaints over murky tap water.