NEWPORT BEACH : Midgeflies on Tap Again in City Water

In Newport Beach, summer doesn’t just mean tourists. Residents can also count on the resurfacing of tiny midgefly larvae that appear in the toilet tanks and sinks of residents whose water comes from the Big Canyon Reservoir.

The warmer weather means that the adult midgeflies, which are similar to mosquitoes, lay their eggs in the uncapped reservoir, City Utilities Director Bob Dixon said. Although the water is treated with chlorine and other chemicals, sometimes the bugs get through.

“The infestation so far has been very small,” Dixon said about this summer’s crop. “We’ve had between six and eight calls over the last several weeks.”

Dixon emphasized that ingestion of the pests poses no danger.

The infestation problem was discussed at a Monday afternoon City Council meeting during which a council member asked if an allocation of $2.3 million was necessary to cap the Big Canyon Reservoir.

City Manager Bob Wynn said that the only way Newport Beach could improve its water quality would be to cap the reservoir. However, the capping would not do any good unless the San Joaquin Reservoir is also covered, since that facility feeds the Big Canyon site. About 80% of Newport Beach residents receive water from Big Canyon.

“It’s kind of ridiculous in a city this size,” Wynn said. “You get people drawing water and a little fly comes out of the tap.”

October was the last time that the wormlike larvae showed up in the city’s water supply. At that time, more than two dozen residents complained of seeing the pests.

Dixon said that any resident who sees the bugs in toilet bowls or tap water should notify the utilities department.