Residents of Mesa, Arizona may have recently noticed a change in the way their water smells and tastes. City officials stated that the water is safe to drink and use, and is not harmful. They explained that the reason behind the change in the water is due to seasonal algae known as geosmin in the surface water.
The city went on to explain that the water may have a “musty or soil-like taste and odor, even at low concentrations”. The Brown Road Water Treatment Plan turned to carbon treatment to reduce the amount of geosmin in its water distribution system. The City of Mesa appeared confident that the water would continue to “meet all state and federal drinking water standards”.
The human nose is very sensitive to geosmin which is why we can easily taste and smell the organic compound at extremely low concentrations. The taste can be described as being similar to a beet, while the smell is that of petrichor, which is similar to the smell of rain after a dry spell.
While the water may be safe, you don’t have to live with the smell and taste. Aqua Science can improve the taste of your drinking water in the greater Phoenix area. Give us a call today at 480-454-3700 to schedule an appointment or to learn more.
