SUEZ Should Discount 'Earthy' Water: Carlucci

CLARKSTOWN, NY — As many Rockland residents supplied by SUEZ with drinking water from Lake DeForest continue to complain about its taste, smell and look, state Senator David Carlucci has called on the company to give some kind of discount to those customers.

The 4-mile long, 6-billion gallon reservoir in Clarkstown provides water to about 30 percent of SUEZ's 300,000 customers in Rockland County. The problem is an organic compound in the lake, exacerbated by the warm, dry weather of August and September. SEE: Water Safe Despite Algae, SUEZ Tells Rockland Customers.

The algae naturally in Lake DeForest released geosmin, which according to scientists at Brown University, literally translates to "earth smell." Many but not all people are sensitive to the smell.

The compound, the scientists said, "was scientifically identified more than 100 years ago. In soil, bacteria produce the chemical compound. In water, blue-green algae make it. Along with the pleasant scent of warm, moist soil, geosmin is also responsible for the muddy 'off' taste in some drinking water. That is why the substance is of interest to water purification experts and even vintners, who want to keep the benign but pungent substance out of their wine. "

Some neighbors posting on Patch said the water smells and tastes like mold.

"Years ago the water around here always used to taste like it was drawn from a muddy ditch. Then for years it was good. Now it's back to dirty again and undrinkable!" wrote Randy Robinson.

SUEZ has treated the water to deal with the situation, getting special permits from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to do so. Rain and cold weather will also mitigate the issue, said spokesman Bill Madden. The company is also studying a long-term solution. That would require treatment not in the lake but at the filtration plant in West Nyack, he said.

Carlucci said he has sent two letters to the company. Thursday, he called for a monetary credit on costumers' future water bills.

"Suez Water New York must continue to communicate with customers about what is going on with their water to address their concerns," Carlucci said. "The company should also issue customers a monetary credit on their bills, while this problem continues."

The company has no current plans to offer credits, Madden said. "The water is still safe to drink, bathe in and cook with."