CITY OF BRENHAM: EARTHY SMELL, TASTE IN WATER DUE TO ALGAL BLOOMS AT LAKE SOMERVILLE
CITY SAYS WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK
Some City of Brenham residents may have noticed an “earthy” taste and smell in their water.
The city says the reason for this is that due to less water at Lake Somerville, the city’s water source, and higher temperatures, a naturally occurring compound called Geosmin or algal blooms becomes present in lakes, dams, reservoirs and rivers.
Seasonal lake turnover, accompanied by these algal blooms, is common to surface water sources in warm climates like Texas, most often during later summer months or periods of extensive drought conditions.
The city says personnel at the water treatment plant are working to correct the issue, but the water is otherwise safe to drink and meets all requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
In the meantime, residents can try refrigerating the water or adding a squeeze of lemon before drinking.