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Masengil further comments on Etowah water taste, smell
Etowah Utilities is continuing to work on getting the taste and smell of its water back to its normal standard.
EUB General Manager Harold Masengil, who recently contacted the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) about the issue, has released a statement assuring local residents that the problem is being dealt with.
There have been complaints for some time about an odd taste and smell to water both from Etowah Utilities and Athens Utilities and both have noted that an oddity in the Hiwassee River appears to be the cause of it.
“This taste is due to trace compounds (Geosmin and 2-MIB) that are released when algae naturally grows in the environment,” Masengil said. “The compounds only have to be present in small parts per trillion concentrations in order for some customers to taste them.”
He added that this can be different for each person, but assured local residents that all safety standards are being met as normal.
“Some people can taste them and some cannot,” he said. “Etowah’s water is fully treated and meets all the safe drinking water standards for use.”
He added that the problem remains because it can’t easily be treated by normal means.
“However, conventional water treatment does little to remove the taste and odor,” he said. “We have begun adding activated carbon to the water in an attempt to absorb as much of the taste and odor compounds that we can. We feel that the problem will go away as the water flow gets back to normal in the Hiwassee.”
In mid-May, Masengil sent a request to TVA to take steps to help mitigate the issue. That request now encompasses several organizations.
“We are working diligently with the Tennessee Valley Authority, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and other affected utilities and are reaching out to the U.S. Forest Service as well,” he said. “Samples are being taken from the river watershed in an effort to locate the source of the compounds. In the meantime, you may see Etowah Utilities vehicles on the river checking the water.”
The taste and smell of Etowah’s water has won awards in the past and Masengil said they are working to get back to that point again soon.
“We apologize for this situation and we are sorry that our customers are going through this with us,” he said. “We appreciate your patience. Again, the water meets all standards but we certainly are working hard to regain the confidence of our customers and you can be assured that we will not stop until the excellent taste of our water returns.”
“Pay What You Can” Carwash Fundraiser
All proceeds go to the Keyshawn Tatum Memorial Scholarship
June 10th, 2023 from 10 am - 2 pm
Located at AutoZone in Decatur
17481 TN-58, Decatur, TN 37322
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