Algae bloom to blame for strange smell and taste in Regina's tap water
Some Regina and Moose Jaw residents are looking for answers after noticing a strange taste and smell in their tap water as of late.
According to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, the smell and taste is caused by an unusually early algae bloom.
Residents have said their tap water has a “lake like” taste and smell.
“What we’re seeing here is an algae bloom that’s actually in the water. So it’s in the water column, that’s relevant to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant because they are always pulling water from the lake and treating it. That algae bloom is causing some issues as the plant causes its operational tactics to deal with that organic matter going through the treatment process,” Patrick Boyle from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency said.
The water is still safe to drink and meets all the regulatory drinking water requirements, according to the treatment plant.
The plant also said it is working on solutions to reduce the altered taste and smell.
According to a City of Regina news release, the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant is currently using powdered activated carbon to reduce the taste and odour.
The city said the issue should be resolved in a couple of weeks.
“The clear message is that although there is an operational issue that is based on natural occurrences of the timing, drinking water is very safe from the plant,” Boyle said.
Currently, Drinking Water Quality and Compliance reports from previous years are available on the City of Regina’s website.
-- With Files from Hallee Mandryk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Local MP, MLA call on federal government to remove sunken vessel in Saint John River
An MP and an MLA are calling for the removal of a sunken vessel in the Saint John River.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.