CUMMING, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has heard complaints from some people in metro Atlanta that their water tastes and smells bad.
City leaders in Cumming said changes in taste and odor in their water is related to naturally occurring compounds in Lake Lanier.
They say despite its taste and smell, the water is still safe to drink.
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The city’s utilities director says that during the summer months and into the late fall and early winter, algae starts to bloom, grow and die in Lake Lanier.
That algae can cause increased levels of compounds MIB and Geosmin, which causes the smell and taste to change.
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“MIB and Geosmin have an earthy smell and taste, similar to beets. The tastes and odors produced by these compounds are described as musty, earthy, swampy, etc. People who love beets rarely complain. Those who dislike beets generally complain the most,” a city spokesperson said in a statement.
City leaders say they are looking into more treatment technologies that could help alleviate the issue in the warmer months.
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