The City of Bloomington Utilities is altering its water treatment process after residents complained about odor and taste.
The city often receives complaints about the taste of its water in the late summer and fall. That’s because of an increase of organic compounds in its water source, Lake Monroe.
The city said it’s addressing the problem by temporarily using a powdered activated carbon sourced more from coconut husk than what it was using before.
Last year, the city tested the powdered activated carbon it’s using now, according to Holly McLaughlin with the city of Bloomington utilities. The tests showed fewer issues with the water’s taste and smell.
“So, this year when we started to see an increase in those compounds that people say taste musty, we switched over,” she said.
The city started using powdered activated carbon in its water several years ago. It helps absorb contaminants that affect the water’s taste and smell, along with pesticides and biocides.
Read more: What's behind the taste and smell of city's water?
It’s a common type of treatment, McLaughlin said, essentially the same as what’s done in many at-home water filters.
“If you have ever taken a Brita filter and busted that filter open, and you see the black granules on the inside, that is activated carbon,” she said.
The carbon product does not cause issues with people’s allergies because it is not made with coconut meat, McLaughlin said. That, and the carbon used to treat the city’s water is filtered out.
