Northeast Philadelphia family says they have mystery specks in water

Water is one of the most basic elements of our daily routine, but what if your water came out of the tap with mystery particles floating in it? That's the dilemma facing one couple and their young daughter so they reached out to FOX 29's Bruce Gordon.

For most of the day, all is well for Michael Smith, his girlfriend Ebony Wright and their 2-year-old daughter, Alonna. However, when it comes time to cook or clean there are tiny, dark specks floating in their water.

"I don't know what it is. It looks like chips of paint, but black," resident Michael Smith said.

FOX 29 found the floating specks in the kitchen sink and in the bathroom. What's more, when Gordon drained the water and tried to wipe the particles off the sink bowl they smeared into a tar-like substance.

Michael and Ebony say it has been this way for months. Management at the Northbrook Apartments where they live has already replaced their hot water heater, but that didn't do any good. The couple has reached out to the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections and the water department.

FOX 29's Bruce Gordon reached out to L&I and to the water department and visited the leasing office.

The property manager declined our invitation to talk on camera but told FOX 29 they are about to schedule a private company to come out and test the water and that they're willing to move Michael and Ebony to a different apartment while the situation gets resolved.