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Algae causes water to taste a little musty By MELISSA MARTIN A high algae count in the Rogue River is causing a musty odor and taste in tap water for some Medford Water Commission customers, mostly in the White City and Central Point areas. The smell and taste are not health concerns, and the water is safe to drink, said Bob Noelle, water quality supervisor for the Medford Water Commission. Most calls about the taste have come from the communities closest to the Robert A. Duff Treatment Plant near TouVelle Park northwest of White City. During the summer, the Medford Water Commission draws about half its water daily from the Rogue River to supplement its supply at Big Butte Springs, the city's underground source near Butte Falls. The commission has about 100,000 customers. The musty odor and taste are caused by the presence of an algae byproduct called geosmin, according to Noelle. It became a problem this year because of warm temperatures and fluctuating river levels. Some customers also noticed off-tasting water last summer, the first time in 15 years, Noelle said. The conventional treatment process used at the Duff plant can't remove high levels of geosmin. But the water commission plans to build an ozonation facility at the Duff Treatment Plant this winter. Ozone treatment is a more effective way to eliminate taste and odor-causing compounds. Medford Water Commission opened bids this week and hopes to have the work complete in June. Customers who have noticed the problem can improve the water's taste and smell by letting the tap run briefly before drinking it. They can also pour water between two clean containers or refrigerate it in a loosely covered container before drinking, said Laura Hodnett, Medford Water Commission spokeswoman. The problem should clear up when the water commission stops drawing water from the river. That will happen in September or October. Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.