9/26/2022 13:17:33 Closed by Tyler Steury
The taste and odor event has passed.
Other: The water taste/smell/quality here has been horrible for weeks. It’s insane that we still pay the same amount of money in our water bills for water that is undrinkable (due to awful taste). I’m tired of having to spend money on extra water sources. You’d think after multiple years of this same problem you guys would be able to put together a solution!
The taste and odor event has passed.
Jessica, We've experienced two warm and very dry summers in a row. This results in a lower lake level and warmer water temperatures throughout the summer. These are conditions that algae thrive in. These algae species produce the chemicals Geosmin and Methylisoborneol (MIB), which create an unpleasant taste and odor for some individuals 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. Every summer there is algae in Lake Monroe, as well as the taste and odor compounds they produce. Summer taste and odor complaints were common from 1967-2016, but we received none from 2017 (when we started feeding PAC) until the large algal blooms in 2021-2022. Most summers with the exception of the last two, the amount of these compounds is low enough that we are able to eliminate the taste and odor. However this summer and last summer the algae amounts in the lake have been very high, and the amount of these taste and odor compounds has been too large for our plant to eliminate. This is an issue faced around the world by utilities and communities using lakes as their water source. If you have additional comments or questions I can be reached at 812-349-3655 Tyler Steury CBU Water Quality wq@bloomington.in.gov