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3.21.08 Tap water taste odd? It's extra chlorine Hey, Omahans: Don't be alarmed by the funny taste or smell of your tap water. The "off" taste is because of the chlorine added to remove particles and kill bacteria, said Mari Matulka, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Utilities District. Matulka said the melting ice and snow from Canada annually causes runoff into the Missouri River, which puts more sediment in the water. She said the increased runoff contains dead leaves, farm runoff and other organic material. So M.U.D. adds more chlorine and activated carbon to remove particles and kill bacteria. The increased chlorine does not pose any health risk, she said. "The water is completely safe to drink." M.U.D. began increasing chlorine levels in the water supply a few weeks ago but will cut back on the additive by Monday, Matulka said. Because water takes about two days to get from the treatment plant to homes, customers should notice a difference by Wednesday. "Adding chlorine is a standard procedure that utilities (districts) that use surface water, like river water, use every year," she said. The amount of chlorine added to the drinking water supply depends on the amount of snow and the subsequent runoff — the more snow and runoff, the more chlorine is needed, Matulka said. She said M.U.D. runs 48 water-quality tests a day to assess the amount of chlorine that's necessary. Since M.U.D. began adding additional chlorine, about 10 people have e-mailed complaints, she said. "The last time people really noticed it was in 2001," Matulka said. "It depends on the winter." |
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