Why does my water smell or taste dirty or musty?

At certain times of the year, especially during the hot, dry summer months, there are various species of algae present in the source water (Sabine River) for the surface water treatment plant. These algae can give off chemicals (gesomin or 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) that give the water a dirty or musty taste or smell. These chemicals can be detected by the human senses as low as 5 to 10 parts per trillion. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for the algae to diminish and the chemicals to no longer be present. The water is treated at the plant with activated carbon and other chemicals known as oxidizers to remove the gesmin and MIB; however it is difficult to remove them entirely. 

Care must be taken not to overuse the treatment chemicals to the point where the finished water is out of compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations and pose possible health hazards to the public. Although the taste or smell may be objectionable, the water is still safe to drink.

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1. Why is my water is cloudy/milky colored?
2. What is the hardness of our water?
3. Why does my water smell or taste dirty or musty?
4. Why does my water smell like bleach?
5. Why is my water sometimes discolored, and is it safe to drink?
6. Why is my water pressure so low?
7. What do I do if I think I have a leak?
8. Can my water meter be defective?
9. If there is a leak, who is responsible for repairs?