OWASA: Water Safe Despite ‘Earthy’ or ‘Musty’ Odor and Taste

Officials with Orange Water and Sewer Authority are reassuring residents in the southern portion of Orange County that even though you may have noticed taste and odor issues, the water is safe to drink and use.

A release from OWASA said that several dozen customers have reported “an earthy or musty taste and odor in the tap water” over the past week.

Officials say that algae growing in the Cane Creek Reservoir and University Lake is causing that variance and that staff is continuing to work to resolve the issue.

Algae is removed during the treatment process, according to OWASA, but “organic compounds may remain in the drinking water that can cause earthy or musty taste and odor.”

Kenneth Loflin is OWASA’s water supply and treatment manager. He said in a release:

“We are working to provide drinking water which is aesthetically pleasing in addition to being safe and healthful. We appreciate very much the calls and e-mails from customers who have reported taste and odor in our water, and we are working to resolve this.”

Officials say treatment modifications have been introduced in an attempt to remedy the changes, including “increased use of powdered activated carbon.” Water that has been treated and is leaving the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant in Carrboro is back to “near normal taste and odor quality,” according to OWASA. But water that was already in the 380-mile network of water pipes and the water in storage tanks may still have the different taste and odor.

But, again, officials maintain that the water is safe for use.

OWASA had to issue a Do Not Use order for all customers served by the organization in February due to a combination of over fluoridation of the water and a broken water main.