The City of St. John's is telling residents of the west end with discoloured water to find an alternative source for drinking. (City of St. John's/Submitted)

The City of St. John's is advising residents serviced by the Petty Harbour Long Pond water system — most of the west end — who are experiencing discoloured water to use an alternative source for drinking water.

The potentially affected area comprises hundreds of streets and thousands of residents. A list of streets can be found here.

"We have had several complaints of discoloration in the drinking water," said Mayor Danny Breen. "They came from various areas, so there wasn't one specific to focus on."

A water station will be open at the City Depot at 25 Blackler Avenue beginning at 8am today Wed. Aug.29.<br><br>If you are serviced by Petty Harbour Long Pond AND your water is discoloured, bring your own water containers to fill.<br><br>If your water is clear, there is no issue with it. —@CityofStJohns

The city has determined the discoloured water is due to elevated levels of manganese, which is one of the most prevalent metals in the world and occurs naturally in drinking water.

The city says manganese in drinking water is not a health concern for cleaning and washing foods or bathing, and that boiling, freezing, filtering or letting the water stand will not reduce its manganese levels. However, manganese can stain plumbing fixtures and laundry. City officials couldn't say when the problem would be fixed.

Mayor Danny Breen says water stations will be set up to help residents find alternative water supplies. (Danny Arsenault/CBC)

Children under one should have their meals prepared with bottled water or an alternative water source, the city said in an emailed statement.

To assist in the efforts to provide alternative water sources for residents, Breen says the city will be opening stations beginning Wednesday at the municipal depot on Blackler Avenue.

This map outlines the areas that run on the Petty Harbour Long Pond water supply system. (Submitted)

"That's the first one. We're just trying to get one open right now and then we'll monitor the demand for that. Then if we need to open more we will," he said.

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