Politics & Government
'Musty' Smelling Water Safe to Drink
The water district says that tests prove the water is safe, despite the smell and taste.
Written by Bea Karnes and Sheila Sanchez
Residents who receive their water from the California Water Service Company, which originates from the Los Gatos Rinconada Water Treatment Plant, have complained about a "musty" odor coming from the water.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District supplies the water. The odor is apparently caused by algae blooms in the agency's imported water sources. Algae can leave the taste and odor-causing compounds geosmin and MIB (2-Methylisoborneol).
“The Santa Clara Valley Water District is working hard to remove taste and odor causing compounds in their water. In the meantime, we want to assure customers that the water meets all drinking water quality standards,” said Acting District Manager Elissa Ouyang.
According to Ouyang, Cal Water conducts rigorous monitoring to ensure that it provides water that meets stringent water quality standards set to protect public health and safety.
For his part, SCVWD spokesman Marty Grimes said the root of the issue is the weather and the low water levels, which result in algae blooms in the Delta and in San Luis Reservoir.
"We are treating the water as best we can to remove the taste and odor that the algae causes," Grimes said. "We have been adding powder activated carbon for the past week and will continue to do that until the taste and odors are gone."
Grimes said the SCVWD is planning a major upgrade to Rinconada Water Treatment Plant, which will include installing an ozone disinfection process in the next few years.
The process will be much more able to control taste and odor, Grimes noted, adding that the SCVWD's other two treatment plants already have ozone and they are not seeing the same taste and odor issues.
As for safety, Grimes said the taste and odor problem is aesthetic, but the water is absolutely safe to drink.
About 40 percent of our county’s water supply passes through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Grimes said.
Cal Water serves about 65,800 people in Los Altos and parts of Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View and Sunnyvale. The company has provided water service in the area since 1931.
Additional information is available online at Cal Water.
Editor's Note: Story has been changed to reflect comments from the Santa Clara Valley Water District about the condition and safety of the water.
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