Taste and Odour in Drinking Water

Currently, some residents may notice a musty or “dirt” taste/odour with their drinking water.  This has nothing to do with the temporary switch in secondary disinfection.  The musty or “dirt” taste and odour in the water is related to very warm weather that our area has been experiencing and this has led to much higher water temperatures in Lake Erie.  The warmer water usually increases algae and bacteria in the Lake Erie water that produce taste and odour compounds such as “Geosmin” and MIB.  These taste and odour compounds are not harmful to your health.  Our Water Treatment process operators are adjusting the treatment process to reduce the amount of taste and odour compounds in the water.  Be assured that all testing remains in place and that your drinking water is safe to drink.  Once cooler weather prevails this issue should diminish.