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City staff: Brentwood tap water may taste musty but is safe to drink
Summary
A Brentwood staff member said elevated geosmin and MIB from algae in the Delta may cause an earthy or musty taste or odor in tap water but that the water meets federal and state safety standards; the city described monitoring, treatment adjustments, use of wells, blending, and targeted flushing.
A staff member for the City of Brentwood said residents may notice an earthy or musty taste or odor in their drinking water because of elevated levels of geosmin and MIB, naturally occurring compounds linked to algae growth in the Delta. The staff member said the compounds affect taste and smell at very low levels but do not pose a health risk.
"Brentwood's water remains safe to drink and continues to meet and exceed all federal and state drinking water standards," the staff member said. The announcement identified the Delta as Brentwood's primary water source and attributed the taste-and-odor event to seasonal algae activity.
City staff described a series of operational responses intended to reduce the taste and odor impacts. Those steps include closely monitoring water quality, adjusting treatment processes, increasing use of groundwater wells, blending different water sources, and flushing water lines where possible to move affected water through the system more quickly. The city said crews will target areas with higher complaint levels for flushing.
Because laboratory testing for geosmin and MIB takes several days to complete, the city is also relying on resident reports to identify hot spots. "Crews then target these hot spots and flush the water lines to help move the affected water through the system more quickly," the staff member said.
The city asked for residents' patience as it continues working to reduce the impacts of this seasonal algae-related event. No change in water safety guidance was announced; the staff member reiterated that the water remains in compliance with applicable federal and state standards.
