Algae Blamed for Musty Taste, Odor of Water
Tap water may have a musty taste and odor for the next few weeks because of naturally occurring algae blooms, Metropolitan Water District officials said Wednesday.
After receiving calls from alarmed residents, water officials said the algae is harmless.
“With the national security alert, we thought it would be prudent to address concerns that may be raised by consumers if they notice a change in the taste or odor of their water,” said spokesman Bob Muir.
It may take several weeks of treatment to get rid of the algae, he said. Water officials recommend refrigerating the water to improve its taste.
An especially large and persistent algae bloom in the California Aqueduct, caused by warm weather, is to blame.
Officials Wednesday applied copper sulfate to a part of the aqueduct, but the problem may persist for several weeks.
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