Algae Leaves Water with Musty Taste, Smell
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
23 August 2010
Pennsylvania American Water customers in southern Allegheny and
northern Washington counties may find that their tap water has a musty
taste and smell.
The water is safe to drink but may smell and taste strange due to algae
under stress conditions on the Monongahela River, said Pennsylvania
American spokesman Gary Lobaugh.
"The water is safe to drink and this is mainly at this point an
aesthetic byproduct of the algae stress," he said.
Hot days, some with temperatures above 90 degrees, lots of sunshine and
not enough rain are the main factors that contribute to the condition,
said Ron Bargiel, water quality manager for Pennsylvania American.
Pennsylvania American Water is adjusting its treatment dosages to
improve the smell and taste of the water, including using powdered
activated carbon, a component of many sink and refrigerator filters.
A heavy rainfall will further dilute the algae and should end the
stress conditions, Mr. Bargiel said.
Pennsylvania American Water follows Department of Environmental
Protection regulations for all water quality issues, Mr. Lobaugh said,
and would quickly notify customers in the event of safety issues.