The Fort Worth Business Press reports that Water from Fort Worth’s Rolling Hills and Westside water treatment plants is safe to drink despite changes in taste and odor, according to city officials. Both water departments assure their customers the water is safe for drinking, cooking, bathing and all other purposes, though it has what Fort Worth officials call an “earthy smell and taste.”
Water quality data from the district indicated that levels of geosmin have been steadily rising in recent months, according to a Fort Worth news release. Geosmin can produce taste and odor issues in the part per billion range, so the amounts found in the water are incredibly small. Fort Worth water officials describe that as a normal occurrence for this time of year. Geosmin is a naturally occurring compound produced by bacteria in soil and algae found in surface water. Cold temperatures kill off algae in surface water, and the dead algae release the geosmin.
Fort Worth and Arlington have increased the dosage of ozone at their treatment plants. Ozone is used to disinfect the drinking water, and it can help with resolving taste and odor issues, but not in all cases. The key parameter is the ozone dose. Since the amount of geosmin varies from year to year, adjusting the ozone dose to match the amount of geosmin in the water requires time. The ozone react with the molecule to change its characteristics such that it does not affect the taste of the water.