Seasonal algae is to blame for the discolouration and odd taste of Buffalo City Metro’s water supply over the last few weeks.
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said the metro had been inundated with queries from consumers regarding water quality.
Ngesi said algal bloom had been observed in the Bridal Drift Dam near the end of November.
This was due to the presence of cyanobacteria (or blue green algae), a seasonal occurrence that develops during higher temperature months.
“During such times the Umzoniana water treatment works implements carbon dosing to remove algal cells,” Ngesi explained.
“Algal blooms are often accompanied by consumer complaints relating to taste and odour issues.
“This is most likely due to the presence of geosmin, which is a chemical compound released by dead algal cells.
“Geosmin imparts a typical earthy or mud smell to water and the human nose is very sensitive to this compound. Geosmin, however, is not toxic and does not affect human health apart from taste and odour complaints.”
In a report in the Daily Dispatch earlier this month, BCM residents from various suburbs cried foul over the appearance and taste of their water which they described as brown, mouldy-smelling and foul-tasting.
Residents from Quigney, Buffalo Flats, Pefferville and Parkside had complained.
Quigney resident Elfonso Visagie said their water supply was so murky it resembled ginger beer.
“Everything the water touches is left with a mouldy smell,” he said.
Other residents had taken to Facebook to voice their grievances.
Ghost Town resident Shaun Celliers had said the water in his area had a “bad taste” while Buffalo Flats resident Romano Rigney said the water was laced with a “slimy” aftertaste.
Algae causing odd taste, colour to of BCM water
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said the metro had been inundated with queries from consumers regarding water quality.
Ngesi said algal bloom had been observed in the Bridal Drift Dam near the end of November.
This was due to the presence of cyanobacteria (or blue green algae), a seasonal occurrence that develops during higher temperature months.
“During such times the Umzoniana water treatment works implements carbon dosing to remove algal cells,” Ngesi explained.
“Algal blooms are often accompanied by consumer complaints relating to taste and odour issues.
“This is most likely due to the presence of geosmin, which is a chemical compound released by dead algal cells.
“Geosmin imparts a typical earthy or mud smell to water and the human nose is very sensitive to this compound. Geosmin, however, is not toxic and does not affect human health apart from taste and odour complaints.”
In a report in the Daily Dispatch earlier this month, BCM residents from various suburbs cried foul over the appearance and taste of their water which they described as brown, mouldy-smelling and foul-tasting.
Residents from Quigney, Buffalo Flats, Pefferville and Parkside had complained.
Quigney resident Elfonso Visagie said their water supply was so murky it resembled ginger beer.
“Everything the water touches is left with a mouldy smell,” he said.
Other residents had taken to Facebook to voice their grievances.
Ghost Town resident Shaun Celliers had said the water in his area had a “bad taste” while Buffalo Flats resident Romano Rigney said the water was laced with a “slimy” aftertaste.
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