uReport

City of Bloomington, Indiana

closed: Resolved #181377

Water Quality:

Other: Water I know we are told that the water, despite tasting horrible, is safe; but I wonder if for some of us, there is esophageal damage being done. I have a discomfort in my esophagus that seems not the same as acid reflux and not really familiar. Please, can you put your focus not on densification or even getting rid of hazardous plants, but on such basics as having safe water, and water that at least with a routine kind of home filter arrangement is drinkable? I am sure this is affecting the health of a great many of us, if not directly, indirectly because the water is so repulsive that we may be drinking too little. I actually gagged while brushing my teeth.

Assigned to
Tyler Steury

History

9/26/2022 13:39:28 Closed by Tyler Steury

The taste and odor event has passed.

Sent notification to Tyler Steury, Anonymous
https://bloomington.in.gov/crm/tickets/view?ticket_id=181377 Closed by Tyler Steury The taste and odor event has passed.

9/6/2022 10:28:01 Tyler Steury contacted Anonymous

Marcia, I apologize for the unpleasant taste and odor we’re currently experiencing with our drinking water. Unfortunately this is a system wide issue. The warm and dry weather recently has resulted in an increase in algae in Lake Monroe. This algae produces geosmin and methylisoborneol (MIB), which cause taste and odor issues with the drinking water. Our treatment system is able to control and filter the algae itself, but the compounds they produce in the lake are extremely difficult to control in a conventional water treatment plant in high amounts, and so at times they persist after treatment. Although the water is unpleasant to drink, these compounds are not a health concern, they are an aesthetic issue which is not uncommon for communities using lakes as their water source. There are certain steps we're taking to try to eliminate the issue, such as maximizing the amount of powdered activated carbon, sodium permanganate and copper sulfate that we add to the water to control algae and help with taste and odor issues. We are working with engineering firms and consultants to institute a long term solution. We’re continually testing the water for many different quality parameters in multiple sites in our distribution system and at our water treatment plant to ensure the water continues to be safe to drink. As the weather cools down the algae will return to normal levels. I apologize for this inconvenience, but this is a natural phenomenon that is difficult to treat, and we are working diligently to correct the issue. You are welcome to call or email with any questions. Tyler Steury City of Bloomington Utilities Water Quality Coordinator steuryt@bloomington.in.gov (812) 349-3655 office (812) 361-7774 cell

Sent notification to Tyler Steury, Anonymous
https://bloomington.in.gov/crm/tickets/view?ticket_id=181377 Tyler Steury contacted Marcia Baron Marcia, I apologize for the unpleasant taste and odor we’re currently experiencing with our drinking water. Unfortunately this is a system wide issue. The warm and dry weather recently has resulted in an increase in algae in Lake Monroe. This algae produces geosmin and methylisoborneol (MIB), which cause taste and odor issues with the drinking water. Our treatment system is able to control and filter the algae itself, but the compounds they produce in the lake are extremely difficult to control in a conventional water treatment plant in high amounts, and so at times they persist after treatment. Although the water is unpleasant to drink, these compounds are not a health concern, they are an aesthetic issue which is not uncommon for communities using lakes as their water source. There are certain steps we're taking to try to eliminate the issue, such as maximizing the amount of powdered activated carbon, sodium permanganate and copper sulfate that we add to the water to control algae and help with taste and odor issues. We are working with engineering firms and consultants to institute a long term solution. We’re continually testing the water for many different quality parameters in multiple sites in our distribution system and at our water treatment plant to ensure the water continues to be safe to drink. As the weather cools down the algae will return to normal levels. I apologize for this inconvenience, but this is a natural phenomenon that is difficult to treat, and we are working diligently to correct the issue. You are welcome to call or email with any questions. Tyler Steury City of Bloomington Utilities Water Quality Coordinator steuryt@bloomington.in.gov (812) 349-3655 office (812) 361-7774 cell

9/6/2022 10:10:01 Cliff Ingham assigned this case to Tyler Steury

Sent notification to Tyler Steury, Anonymous
https://bloomington.in.gov/crm/tickets/view?ticket_id=181377 Cliff Ingham assigned this case to Tyler Steury You can use the link to follow progress on this case.

9/6/2022 10:09:51 Changed category from Website & Web Services Feedback to Water Quality

9/5/2022 16:39:35 Anonymous assigned this case to Cliff Ingham

Sent notification to Cliff Ingham, Anonymous
https://bloomington.in.gov/crm/tickets/view?ticket_id=181377 Anonymous assigned this case to Cliff Ingham You can use the link to follow progress on this case.

9/5/2022 16:39:35 Opened by Anonymous