COLUMBIA, S.C. — Yes. The City of Columbia Water department is aware that -- once again -- tap water in and around the downtown area has an "earthy" taste and possibly a slight odor. But, Columbia Water Communications Manager Robert Yanity says, the water is safe to drink.
In a statement issued Tuesday morning, Yanity says, "Some Columbia Water customers continue to notice a musty aftertaste to their tap water, especially in the downtown Columbia area. This is related to elevated algae levels in the raw water, and it is harmless. We realize, though, that this is a nuisance for our customers, and we are continuing to employ the treatment processes that have been in place since this taste and odor situation was first noticed a few weeks ago."
Yanity says water companies in the area deal with elevated algae levels, or blooms, with the water that comes from Lake Murray, it's "a rarity" that the City's Canal Treatment Plant to be impacted with this issue. Unfortunately, the plant was impacted this past Memorial Day weekend.
The compounds causing the funky taste and aroma -- geosmin and 2-Methylisoborneol (MIB) -- are naturally occurring and harmless. Unfortunately, the human senses of taste and smell can detect even the most minute concentrations of the compounds, as low as five parts per trillion (nanograms per liter).
"For taste and odor problems that need immediate attention, please call our Customer Care line at 803-535-3300," he says, "so we can initiate flushing activities. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to resolve the issue."
Columbia Water has modified the treatment process to accommodate simultaneous feeds of carbon at multiple injection points within the water system. Water plant operating staff also perform daily threshold odor tests to attempt to detect any unusual scents and adjust the carbon dosage to remove additional by-products that may be entering the plant.
In the meantime, Columbia Water suggests adding lemon juice and chilling water in the refrigerator to improve taste and reduce odors.
To learn more about how Columbia Water is treating this problem, click this link.
To check for the latest boil water advisories or to sign up for boil water alerts, go to columbiascwater.net/about-drinking-water