When it comes to the brown water on Tybee Island, geology and the nature around Tybee both play a huge part. The naturally occurring chemical compounds, known as tannins, are the main culprit.

Tannins from decomposing plant matter (on the left) are seen flowing into the blue-green water of the Gulf of Mexico. This image was captured about 1.5 mile into the Gulf. Dave Tomasko ...

Before Magnolia Water took over the utility in 2019, water coming out of the neighborhood’s taps was brown, the discoloration from natural tannins in the water. The old system used heavy amounts ...