Fort Worth's water doesn't taste very good in some parts of the city right now, but it's safe, the Water Department said Friday.
"The water department assures customers the water is safe for drinking, cooking, bathing and all other purposes, even though smell or taste may not be pleasant," the department said.The Water Department said it's "experiencing changes" in the taste and smell of drinking water coming from the North Holly and South Holly treatment plants."The problems are currently most notable in the central and north areas of the city," which draw their water largely from the two plants, the city said. Some communities that buy water from Fort Worth "have reported experiencing the same issues, particularly Keller and Southlake," the city said.Several factors are contributing to the taste and odor issues, the Water Department said.Problems with organisms such as algae in the water "tend to happen seasonally," Mary Gugliuzza, Water Department spokeswoman, said. "We tend to see that more at certain times of the year."The Water Department has also corrected problems with the South Holly facility's new liquid ammonium sulfate feed system, Gugliuzza said.Within the last two months, the city switched from a gaseous chlorine and ammonia system to a liquid system, as a safety precaution, because chlorine gas is toxic, Gugliuzza said.This week, the city has been receiving calls from customers complaining about taste, she said. Friday, Keller and Southlake officials called to inquire, she said."Most of the city isn't going to be experiencing this issue," she said.The Water Department is reducing production at the Holly plants and increasing production at the Rolling Hills Treatment Plant, which isn't experiencing problems, the Water Department said. Field crews have been flushing lines. And by the end of August, a new primary disinfection system should be in operation at the Holly plants."Customers should notice some improvement by Saturday, but taste and odor issues may persist for another couple of months," the Water Department said.Customers may improve their water's taste by refrigerating it in an open container and adding a slice of lemon or lime, the department said.Scott Nishimura, (817) 390-7808Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
