Residents in St. Thomas, Aylmer, and surrounding communities served by the Elgin Area Primary Water Supply System (EAPWSS) may notice a change in the taste or odour of their drinking water this time of year.
Officials say the earthy, musty, or “swampy” flavours are caused by naturally occurring organic compounds called geosmin and 2-Methylisoborneol (MIB), which are produced by algae in Lake Erie.
While these compounds can affect taste, they are harmless, and the water remains safe to drink.
The Elgin Area Water Treatment Plant closely monitors water quality and adjusts treatment processes as needed, including the use of powder-activated carbon to reduce taste and odour. Residents sensitive to the flavour can chill water in the fridge or use cartridge filters to improve taste.
The Elgin Area Water Treatment Plant supplies water to roughly 138,000 people in the municipalities of Bayham, Central Elgin, Dutton Dunwich, Malahide and Southwold, as well as the Town of Aylmer and the cities of St. Thomas and London.
For questions about local drinking water, contact your municipality or visit HuronElginWater.ca.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
