For Immediate Release – September 11, 2009

AUSTIN - An unusual taste and odor in Austin Water Utility (AWU) water is the result of a natural occurring algae bloom in Lake Austin and does not affect the safety of drinking water.

AWU in its routine sampling and testing of our raw water supply has detected elevated blue green algae levels that may lead to concerns of a "musty" taste and odor. The taste and odor emanate from the completion of the blue green algae bloom. The water is safe to drink but as the algae complete the bloom it releases compounds that impart a grassy, earthy, musty taste to the water.

To minimize the impact, AWU has enhanced our water treatment process by adding activated carbon into the treatment process. The activated carbon adsorbs the compounds released by the algae that create the taste and odor in the water. By introducing activated carbon in advance AWU expects to minimize the impact of any potential taste and odor event. However, by introducing the activated carbon into the treatment process the issue may not entirely be eliminated.

AWU will continue to monitor and test the water at various points for potential taste and odor issues until we are confident that the algae bloom has subsided. It is important to understand Austin's tap water continues to meet all regulatory standards set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's and the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Act.

Media Contact:
Kevin Buchman
Email to: Kevin.Buchman@ci.austin.tx.us
City of Austin Water Utility
(512) 972-0151; pgr.(512) 802-8959