A number of Arlington County residents have complained about an “earthy” smell and taste in their tap water. Fear not, the county says. They are working on getting rid of these issues through cooperation with the Washington Aqueduct Division of the U. S. Corps of Engineers, which is the water supplier, as well as other local stakeholders.
The Aqueduct Division is using powdered charcoal as one effort to remove the odor and taste, which is not completely foul but somewhere between undesirable and unpleasant. Don’t let the taste and odor fool you, though. According to the Corps of Engineers, the water exceeds federal and state safety standards.
I have noticed it myself and simply figured it was from dirt in the water from the source. The water we drink comes from the Potomac River and the reported aesthetic issues are likely from low river levels and high water temperatures.
Read the ACE press release on the issue here.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
