North Texas Municipal Water District News Release:

Algal Bloom, Natural Occurrence In Surface Water Supplies, Responsible For Taste and Odor Changes in Your Potable Water Supplied By North Texas Municipal Water District

Wylie, Texas (July 30, 2007) —

 

A yearly occurrence in all surface water supplies, the mid-summer event generates an “algal bloom” which is responsible for the taste and odor changes that is occurring in the water supply. As a result of the algal bloom, an earthy taste and/or odor are noticeable in the water supply.

 

"This event does not change the quality of the water supply,” said North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) Public Relations Coordinator Denise Hickey. “It is strictly a palatability issue."

 

The annual summer algal bloom usually occurs in late July and into August of each year when water temperatures consistently remain in the 80-85 degree range. With the decaying vegetation growth that was prevalent during the drought period, the nutrients present for an algal bloom to occur are in abundance.

 

NTMWD utilizes several steps to control the taste and odor produced by the algal blooms. Laboratory personnel, through daily analysis, perform algal counts and can determine the onset of an algal bloom. With the onset of an algal bloom, additional chemicals are added to the treatment process. Potassium permanganate is added as an oxidizing agent in reducing the odor levels. To reduce the unpleasant taste, activated carbon is used as an absorption media. Each of these chemicals is removed during the treatment process prior to delivery of the potable water supply. Chlorine, used as the disinfectant in the treatment process, also aids in odor reduction.

 

The water is safe for use, meeting the Safe Drinking Water Standards, while the taste and odor changes form a palatability issue. There are no health hazards created as a result of the taste and odor.

 

And filtering really does help!

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