BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Residents in east Bakersfield say a letter regarding their water is making them sick to their stomach.

"The water is nasty," said Jameka Randle.

"It was brown, cloudy," said Tammie Jester.

"I am worried about our health," said Mary Ayala.

A recent letter from the east Niles Community Services District isn't helping. A report on two water wells showed levels above the maximum conaminant level of arsenic within the past three years. Standard levels should be 0.010 milligrams per liter. The wells exceeded that amount with a measurement of 0.026 and 0.027 milligrams per liter respectively.

If residents didn't see it, they say they sure tasted it.

"I made tamales and had to throw out seven dozen because they tasted like bleach," said Jester.

"I think that's wrong. Especially when your kids can't drink the water. If you can't drink it, then imagine what it's doing to your body when you're putting it on your body," said Patricia Seward.

"The city should do something, just because its the east side doesn't mean we should have bad water," said Randle.

Residents are resorting to bottled water or boiling their water, even though the water district says they don't need to. Seward says her kids made the mistake of drinking tap water. "They still drunk the water and they got sick," she said. Jester said, "My son has had problems with his stomach. He went on two rounds of medicine and still has intestinal problems."

The notice says those exposed to high arsenic in water over many years may experience skin damage, circulatory system problems or increased cancer risk.

The water district said the areas affected are roughly bounded from east of Fairfax, south of Niles, and north of Edison Highway.

Water district manager Tim Ruiz says residents have nothing to worry about.

"Even though those well exceed levels of 10 parts, the level of arsenic that went into the distribution system was below 10," said Ruiz.

Ruiz says even though arsenic levels in two wells were abnormally high, its waters are blended and diluted with water from several other wells so the arsenic drops to acceptable levels. The water is then distributed to consumers.

"But I can tell you that the water is safe to drink," said Ruiz.

The water department says the water is safe to use but those with health issues should consult their doctor.