During the summer months, some residents report experiencing an earthy smell or taste in their home's water. What's the cause? Algal blooms in our source reservoir. While admittedly not pleasant, the water is treated through physical, biological, and chemical processes and regularly tested to ensure safety.
Any mention of algae can understandably cause fear due to a recent national rise in toxic blue-green algae events. Under certain conditions of light and nutrients, cyanobacteria (known as blue-green algae) can produce toxic secondary metabolites known as cyanotoxins. However, the source reservoir currently experiencing the algal bloom is regularly tested, before and after the treatment process, for the presence of cyanotoxins. There are no cyanotoxins present in the water that is treated for drinking in the Town of Wellington. The water has passed all state-mandated safety compliance tests, a copy of the water quality report can be found here.
Technical jargon aside, The Town of Wellington is aware of the taste and odor concerns and is completing a needed upgrade and expansion to our water treatment facility. The project is expected to be complete in 2024. In the meantime, restricting your water use both indoor and outdoor creates significant improvements in the water treatment process and reduces taste and odor events. Every gallon of water your household saves reduces demand and allows the current system to be more efficient.
The current water restriction information and tips on how to save water can be found here.