From the San Diego Tribune

By Karen Kucher

July 6, 2022 4:56 PM PT

SAN DIEGO  Water Smell Issues Confirmed

Officials traced the issue to an algae bloom at Murray Reservoir and expect the smell and taste issues to clear up in a couple days.

Earthy, musty smelling water coming out of faucets in some San Diego neighborhoods will be around for a couple more days — but city officials say it presents no safety issues.

Officials said the odd smell of the water comes from a naturally occurring organic compound called 2-methylisoborneol, or MIB — caused by algae blooms in reservoirs that tend to happen during hot weather.

“City of San Diego water customers may experience a temporary change in the taste and odor of the drinking water being produced at our Alvarado Water Treatment Plant,” city spokesperson Arian Collins said in an email. “The change is caused by an organic compound called MIB (2-methylisoborneol), which is a naturally occurring compound in soil and algae found in surface water.”

Water officials stress that while “the taste and odor can be unpleasant to some” the organic compound does not have any adverse health effects and is not toxic or harmful.

Some residents in Normal Heights, the College Area and other neighborhoods have complained on the Nextdoor website over the past week that they’ve noticed unpleasant smelling and tasting water coming from their faucets.

One resident in the College Area said “it smelled like dirt” while another resident said it “smells like mold.” Said one Allied Gardens resident: “Our water stinks like dirt… Pretty gross.”

The city first began hearing inquiries about water taste and smell issues last Wednesday.

The Alvarado Water Treatment Plant regularly blends water from Lake Murray/Murray Reservoir with Colorado River water and water from other reservoirs, city officials said. Because of the algae bloom, the city has temporarily stopped using Murray Reservoir water as a source.

For that reason, officials expect the taste and odor issues to be gone in a few days.

Collins said water tests show the city’s drinking water meets all state and federal standards. Monitoring programs continually check water quality while “regular manual tests are performed by plant operators and the water quality lab.”

Algae blooms tend to occur more frequently in warmer months and dissipate on their own over time, city officials said.

“The city conducts regular monitoring of our reservoirs for algae blooms and taste and odor-causing compounds, and will adjust blends or change sources as needed,” the city statement said.