The City of Cape Town has reassured residents who have detected an "earthy" flavour to their tap water that it remains safe to drink.
According to the City, the water is compliant
with SANS-2-4-1 standards.
In a statement, the municipality said that there were currently high levels of geosmin
in the raw water supply from the Theewaterskloof Dam.
This was affecting the taste and smell of the
water supplied from the Faure and Blackheath water treatment plants to various
areas across Cape Town, primarily the central and southern regions.
‘’It must be emphasised that geosmin poses no
threat to human health. It is a naturally occurring organic compound and is
responsible for the earthy taste of beetroot and the scent that occurs in the
air when rain falls after a dry spell. The compound is sometimes present in
water, particularly during periods of hot weather, and even minute
concentrations of a few parts per trillion can be detected by the human palate.’’
It warned however, that it may take some time
for the taste and smell of the water to normalise.
‘’The City is monitoring the situation as part
of the water treatment process, which is currently enhanced by the dosing of
powdered activated carbon during this process to reduce the effect of the
geosmin.’’
PICTURE: PexelsDone By: Mitchum George
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