CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — The Medford Water Commission is working to fix the strange smell and taste that has been reported to be coming from the tap water. The reason for the musty smell and taste is because the commission’s Ozone treatment system is currently under repair.
According to the Medford Water Commission, the Ozone treatment system is the part of the water purification process that gets rid of any odors or taste in the water. Every summer when the water heats up due to higher temperatures, there is typically more organic material that evaporates in the water, resulting in an extra-strong smell. This year, the Ozone treatment system isn’t working to help with that.
“What’s different this summer than the past summers is that our Ozone equipment is currently being rebuilt,” said Ben Klayman, the water quality and treatment manager at the Medford Water Commission. “We have an Ozone treatment system that is designed to improve the taste and odor of the water — that’s specifically what it’s for — and that’s offline right now for repairs.”
Even though the Ozone treatment system is down right now, the water is still safe to drink. During the summer, water for the Rogue Valley comes from the Rogue River. Right now, the water is still being treated with the same filters and chemicals as usual. Even so, some members of the community have certainly noticed the strange smell.
“I didn’t pick up on it right away,” said Sellar Nugent, who lives in Eagle Point. “But, it started to smell like sewer and when you fill up a glass, it wasn’t crystal clear like it normally is.”
The Medford Water Commission said the ongoing global supply chain crisis is preventing them from repairing its Ozone treatment system right away. That being said, the commission is working to get the issue fixed as soon as possible. In the meantime, Klayman said there are some things to do at home that can help reduce any strange smells or taste in the water.
“Folks like to fill up a pitcher of water and keep that in the refrigerator,” said Klayman. “Keeping that water cold will keep those odors from evaporating.”
Another way to reduce any odors from evaporating in the water is to let the cold water tap run for a while before filling up a glass. Klayman recommends letting the cold water tap run between 30 seconds and two minutes, or however long it takes to notice the temperature drop.
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