Residents of Regina and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, have been noticing an unusual smell and taste in their water over the past few days. This is not a new phenomenon, as most years a musty odour drifts through the pipes occasionally. The source of this problem lies in Buffalo Pound Lake, the water source for approximately 270,000 people in the two cities. In the spring, increased algae growth leads to a musty taste and odour in the water.
The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant acknowledged the issue, stating, “Buffalo Pound Lake is the source water for Regina’s and Moose Jaw’s drinking water and is currently experiencing its usual annual algae bloom which is causing the high levels of taste and odours.” Despite the odour, the City of Regina assures residents that the water is safe to drink.
To address the taste and odour issue, the treatment plant is using powdered activated carbon in its processes to reduce their intensity. However, this method has limited effectiveness. The plant is currently undergoing a $325.6-million upgrade, which includes the installation of new deep bed carbon filters to provide year-round smell and taste control. “The construction team, programmers, and plant staff are working diligently to get the new and complex deep bed carbon filter system in service within the next month. When the carbon filters are commissioned and put on-line, the taste and odour will no longer occur,” the statement added. This upgrade also includes additional process improvements aimed at providing year-round removal of taste and odours from the drinking water. “The BPWTC asks that the citizens of Regina and Moose Jaw be patient as the new processes will soon provide year-round removal of taste and odours from their drinking water.”
The city is urging residents to be patient as the new processes are implemented to eliminate the taste and odour problem from their drinking water. The new carbon filters are expected to be operational within the next month, providing a permanent solution to the recurring issue.
