Portsmouth Water and Fire District: Water is Safe to Drink

The water is safe to drink despite numerous complaints of a musty taste and odor, said officials of the Portsmouth Water and Fire District on Monday.

According to district officials, the musty or earthy taste is being caused by algae and other natural aquatic growth in the raw water in the Lawton Valley Reservoir and St. Mary's Pond. 

This water is treated by the Newport Water Department at the Lawton Valley Water Treatment Plant in Portsmouth. 

Although the algae and other aquatic growth are removed during water treatment, their presence imparts an earthy, musty taste and odor in the raw water, which cannot be readily removed with the available treatment process.

The Newport Water Department has been regularly treating the raw water sources with copper sulfate to reduce the algae and other aquatic growth in an effort to reduce the potential for taste and odor problems.

William McGlinn, the district's general manager and chief engineer, said that despite the taste and odor, the water is safe for drinking and all other uses. 

The water is routinely tested for bacteria and the water continues to meet the Department of Health water quality standards for coliform bacteria. 

According to McGlinn, the Department of Health considers odor to be one of several non-mandatory, secondary water quality standards, which are of concern primarily for aesthetic reasons.  Taste is not listed as a primary or secondary standard, although taste and odor generally go hand in hand when discussing drinking water aesthetics.

To eliminate the problem, Newport Water is now switching to a different water source.

On Friday, officials began treating water from the Watson Reservoir in Little Compton to supply to customers in Portsmouth.

A musty taste and odors are not uncommon in August and September, according to McGlinn. The taste and odor problem is noticeably more intense this year, he said.

McGlinn suggested chilling the water in an open container in the refrigerator to help improve the taste and odor. 

Although the district does not generally recommend water filters, some customers have indicated that pitchers with charcoal filters have also helped to reduce the taste and odor.

The district apologies to its customers for this temporary, seasonal inconvenience, McGlinn said.