Tap water in Springfield tastes funny? City officials say algae are to blame
Springfield residents may have noticed a strange taste or smell in their tap water this week. The culprit? Algae.
“We are aware that the water may taste a little funny right now, and this is due to some naturally occurring algae in Fellows Lake, one of our water sources,” City Utilities said in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “While this algae can sometimes affect the taste and smell, rest assured that it is completely harmless to your health.”
Algal blooms occur seasonally in warmer weather. Public utility staff are working to address the problem by treating and blending water supply sources, said Joel Alexander of the Media and Energy Services Department.
Residents who notice a strange taste or smell in their tap water do not have to notify the municipal utility company.
Where does the water in Springfield come from?
Springfield’s tap water comes from McDaniel and Fellows lakes. City Utilities operates two water treatment plants. The Fulbright Treatment Plant is located on the northern edge of Springfield and is supplied by McDaniel Lake, the Fulbright Spring, and a deep well. The Blackman Treatment Plant is located on the southeastern edge of the city and is supplied by Fellows Lake. Both lakes can be supplemented with water from Stockton Lake.
More: This innovative floating wetland at Fellows Lake aims to restore habitat and water quality
How is the water treated in Springfield?
Once water from nature enters one of the city’s treatment plants, it is sent to mixing basins containing coagulants, a chemical that turns liquids into solids. This process causes small particles to stick together and form larger particles called flocs, according to the city’s 2023 Water Quality Report. The particles become heavier and sediment sinks to the bottom of the basin. This removes most of the dirt and pollutants from Springfield’s tap water.
The water is then filtered through layers of “fine, granular materials consisting of carbon, sand and rocks,” the report says. The more particles that are removed, the clearer the water is.
Chlorine is then added to the water, which inactivates any bacteria, viruses or other harmful microbes that may still be present in the other stages. Carbon is added to improve the taste of the water and a small amount of fluoride is added to “help protect oral health.” The pH of the water is also adjusted to protect the pipes from corrosion.
Eventually the water reaches the homes and businesses of Springfield.
Greta Cross is the Springfield News-Leader’s trending reporter. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from the history of the Ozarks to the LGBTQIA+ community in Springfield. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Have a story idea? Email her at [email protected].
