After Henderson resident Sylvia Allyn addressed the City Council on Monday night regarding the water supply, which smells to her like “Ajax, Comet cleanser and Lysol,” the council soon heard a report on the problems with the water from the Kerr Lake Regional Water System.
“We believe we know why it’s happening,” City Manager Eric Williams said about the unpopular smell and taste of the water from the system. He added that the problems are diminishing in parts of the system.
Mark Warren, the assistant city manager, reported that a state investigator examined the situation. He also said that as of Friday there were no problems with the taste and smell of the water leaving the plant. He noted that those farther away from the plant will take more time to see improvement. He also assured the council that water was being tested all across town and that it was safe despite the smell and taste.
The chief cause of the current water situation is turnover in Kerr Lake, a representative of the city’s water plant reported. Twice a year, colder water at the bottom of the lake trades places with the warmer water near the top of the lake. Algae at the bottom of the lake rise with the water and give it the unpleasant flavor and smell. A lack of rain exacerbates the problem.
Tests at the water plant do not assess taste and smell, the plant representative added. Operators cannot predict public reaction to the taste and smell of water.
Mayor Clem Seifert emphasized that the water is safe.
Williams indicated that he had gone into the community to make it clear that the water is not contaminated and is safe to drink.
The water plant representative informed the council that the taste and odor problem was being treated with a potassium compound. Asked by council member Elissa Yount how much of that chemical could be put into the water, the plant worker said there is a limit because it turns the water pink.
Yount ended the discussion by asking whether any chemicals were put into the water for which tests were not conducted. The answer was no.