- Algae Found In Neighborhood Drinking Water - NBC 4 - 4 Your Health

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Algae Found In Neighborhood Drinking Water
DWP Making Adjustments To Minimize Taste, Odor In Water Supply
Think your drinking water has an unpleasant taste and odor?

If you live in the San Fernando Valley, West Los Angeles or Central Los Angeles, you're not imagining it.

The problem results from a bloom of blue-green algae called Anaebena in one of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's reservoirs north of Los Angeles. The algae produces a non-toxic, odorous compound known as geosmin.

While unpleasant, the taste and odor issues are naturally occurring and pose no health risks, according to the DWP.

To help improve the taste and odor, customers may want to refrigerate their drinking water until the problem diminishes.

James G. Yannotta, manager of operations for the DWP, said the algal bloom developed in the water stored in Bouquet Reservoir, located in the hills west of Palmdale. From there, water flows south through the Los Angeles Aqueduct to the Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant for purification prior to distribution.

The water level in the reservoir was being lowered to make needed repairs when the algal bloom occurred, necessitating the need to release the affected water into the aqueduct system, he said.

The DWP is making several operational adjustments to minimize the taste and odor in the water supply.

"We anticipate that the problems should start to subside by this weekend, and within the next few weeks the taste and odor should be back to normal," Yannotta said.
NBC 4 - 4 Your Health - Algae Found In Neighborhood Drinking Water