Has your tap water tasted or smelled somewhat earthy the past weeks?
That is because geosmin, an earthy-smelling compound, is currently present in water supplied by Rand Water.
The compound occurs naturally and is not toxic or harmful.
Themba Gadebe, City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson, said the metro had engaged with Rand Water on the few complaints the city received and it was confirmed that the bad odour is caused by geosmin.
Rand Water issued the following response to the metro: “Please be advised that you may receive taste and odour complaints related to geosmin. With the hot and dry conditions that have been experienced over the past week, Rand Water has detected the presence of geosmin in both the raw water and drinking water.
“Despite the fact that the geosmin concentrations found in the drinking water were lower than 30 nanograms/litre, we have already received a number of taste and odour related consumer complaints in some areas.”
According to a statement issued by Johannesburg Water, which also receives its water from Rand Water, the taste and odour will sometimes manifest itself in the potable water supply. The substance causing these odours is not harmful to human health and the problem occurs infrequently and is usually of short duration.
Typically during warm periods, the raw water source, being the Vaal Dam, experiences blue-green algae resulting in unwelcome taste and odour constituents in the drinking water. Consumers may occasionally detect an earthy or musty taste due to the intermittent presence of geosmin, Johannesburg Water added.
