LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 5, 2002 -- People in portions of four Southern California counties may currently or soon notice a musty taste and odor in their tap water, but it is an aesthetic problem and not a health hazard, Metropolitan Water District officials announced Wednesday.
Jill T. Wicke, Metropolitan's manager of water system operations, stressed that the unpleasant taste and odor affecting tap water in eastern Los Angeles, western Riverside, western San Bernardino and Orange counties is not related to the nationwide security alert or potential terrorist activities.
"The taste-and-odor issues consumers may be experiencing in their tap water are naturally occurring," Wicke said. "Since Sept. 11, Metropolitan has increased its security measures significantly to help ensure water supply safety, and is taking additional precautions for the upcoming holiday weekend."
The earthy taste and odor primarily stems from an especially large and persistent algal bloom in the California Aqueduct along the east branch of the State Water Project north of Silverwood Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, Wicke said. A second bloom in Lake Mathews in Riverside County, the terminal reservoir for MWD's Colorado River Aqueduct, also is contributing to the problem.
The taste-and-odor problem may persist for several weeks, Wicke said. She suggested refrigerating drinking water to help improve its taste until the problem diminishes.
Earlier Wednesday, water quality experts with the state Department of Water Resources, which owns and operates the state system, applied copper sulfate to the east branch of the 444-mile California Aqueduct to control the algal bloom. The treated water will be safe for consumers as well as boaters and swimmers downstream at the state's Silverwood Lake and Lake Perris.
The cause has been identified as 2-methylisoborneal (MIB) and geosmin. These compounds are produced from the growth of certain algae in freshwaters thoughout the world. Typically, MIB and geosmin levels increase in summer months when the warmer weather accelerates the growth of algae, Wicke said.
"Metropolitan receives a major portion of its water through the state project's east branch and Silverwood Lake, and we are working with DWR officials to address the problem. We're also studying the Lake Mathews situation to determine if similar treatment will be needed," Wicke said.
Metropolitan member agencies and subagencies impacted by the problem include Three Valleys Municipal Water District in eastern Los Angeles County; Cucamonga County Water District and the Upland-based Water Facilities Authorities in western San Bernardino County; Western and Eastern municipal water districts in western Riverside County; and several water utilities in Orange County.
Consumers interested in receiving additional information about the quality of Metropolitan's drinking water supplies may call (800) 422-9426 or visit MWD's Web site, www.mwdh20.com, for the district's annual water quality report and other related materials.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 17 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other water management programs. For more about these programs, visit MWD's Web site, www.mwdh20.com.
