City water could taste funky and here's why

As runoff increases this spring, so do the chances of funky tastes and smells in city tap water.

Bob Braun, superintendent of the Water Treatment Plant, said the unusual tastes occur when there's more organic material than usual in the Aberdeen water source. The water also gets softer, which makes it more difficult to treat.

While he hasn't noticed any taste or odor issues at the treatment plant, Braun said residents who do should be aware the water is still safe to drink. Slight discoloration is also possible, he said, which is due to high amounts of organic material.

Odor issues can be fixed by:

• Letting a pitcher of water sit.

• Adding lemons.

• Running the water through an extra filter.

— Reporter Elisa Sand