What is causing our water to smell and taste funny?
At certain times of the year, particular types of algae or green mossy growths are present in the raw water reservoirs. These algae impart seasonal taste and odor usually confined to short periods during spring. Growth of algae can be destroyed by treatment with copper sulfate. We have adopted continuous copper treatment on the lake varying our dosage with the level of algae growth from spring to fall. This practice has substantially reduced the incidents of taste and odor problems in our distribution system. Lake circulation device called Solar Bees® have been strategically located at seven spots on the lake to induce continuous water movement thereby preventing the occurrence of major algae blooms. We also have a distribution system-flushing program to ensure that water quality is maintained at dead ends in the system. People have called to complain that they smell and taste chlorine in the water. Chlorine is added to water to destroy disease-producing bacteria. Some residual chlorin
