Spartanburg Water reports even more progress on taste-and-odor front
December 3, 2015
SPARTANBURG, SC —Following the deployment of a new strategy to combat recent taste and odor challenges, levels of an organism that created an earthy flavor in drinking water have sunk to some of the lowest levels that Spartanburg Water has reported since the episode first began.
The latest results from multiple sampling locations within Spartanburg Water’s drinking water reservoirs reveal an even greater reduction in the levels of Methyl-Isoborneol, or MIB, a naturally occurring organism that has been behind the musty taste and odor.
Levels have now plummeted to nearly 25 parts per trillion. These latest results provide even more evidence that the multi-tiered application of an environmentally friendly algaecide is helping reduce the presence of the taste-and-odor-causing organism, said Ken Tuck, Director of Water Treatment.
Last week, Tuck said levels had dropped to 55 parts per trillion, which, at that time, represented an eight-fold decrease in the measurable presence of MIB in the source water supplied by Municipal Reservoir Number One and Lake Bowen. “Only a week ago, we reported the most significant reduction in MIB levels in some time, and now we are seeing even less than our samples before Thanksgiving even indicated,” Tuck said. “This tells us, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that our strategy is working. Every sample we have taken since the second algaecide treatment has shown a downward trend.”
The algaecide applications were made in October and November.
“Some may still experience the taste and odor, but what’s causing that taste and odor is significantly reduced in the watershed,” Tuck said.
Following extensive laboratory testing, experts at the School of Agricultural, Forest and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University prescribed the use of algaecides as the next step in Spartanburg Water’s strategy to combat MIB. The use of approved algaecides is common to control a variety of algae species in potable water sources, including ponds, lakes, drinking water reservoirs and irrigation systems, among others. Experts consistently rank it among the best lines of defense against algae growth, including MIB.
Spartanburg Water’s treatment facilities utilize best practice treatment methods, but since the onset of higher MIB levels last August, officials have been supplementing treatment with additional strategies, including the use of powder-activated carbon, which absorbs elevated levels of natural organics that can cause water to taste or smell funny.
Despite the taste and odor of the water, it is safe to drink, and safe for everyday use, Tuck said.
“MIB does not compromise the water’s safety,” he said. “We continuously monitor the quality of our water and perform more than 250 tests a day to ensure that quality. Rest assured that our team is working hard to find a solution—and to provide Mother Nature a helping hand.”
ABOUT SPARTANBURG WATER: Spartanburg Water, an award-winning utility, is comprised of Spartanburg Water System and Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District. It serves a population of more than 180,000 within Spartanburg County, as well as others in parts of Greenville, Union and Cherokee counties. With the help of its dedicated team of more than 250 employees, each day it produces an average of 25 million gallons of drinking water and cleans 12 million gallons of reclaimed water for its customers and community. For more information on Spartanburg Water’s water quality efforts, visit us at www.spartanburgwater.org.
