Sask. residents could soon have relief from musty water, but experts ask people to remain wary of lakes

There's a musty smell, an odd taste and a different look to water in Regina and Moose Jaw. The treatment plant responsible for the two cities says it will be getting rid of those problems by the end of July.

This isn't the first time residents of both the cities have noticed the odour.

The Water Security Agency (WSA), the provincial body that oversees water resources in Saskatchewan, said the taste and smell don't affect the water quality.

"We don't see an issue here as far as meeting the drinking water guidelines," Patrick Boyle, a spokesperson with the agency, said in an emailed response. 

The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, which services both cities, measures odour and taste. Ryan Johnson, CEO and president for the plant, said this summer's levels have been on the higher end of the indicator.

"When it gets to this level, we're getting feedback from everybody. There's no doubt that right now the taste and odour is not acceptable," he said.

Johnson said warmer temperatures have led to a blue-green algae bloom in the water supply.

He said the plant is in the process of replacing its granulated activated carbon (GAC) filtration system with biological activated carbon (BAC) filters. They offer a year-round solution because, unlike the GACs, they don't need to be recharged, Johnson said.

The renovated system will help them get rid of the issues for at least the next 25 years, starting at the end of July, he said.

"It doesn't matter how safe the water is, if people find it has an odour to it or taste to it, people are less likely to use it, so it's really important for us to have water that smells and tastes good," he said.

The upgrade is a part of a $325-million renewal project. Johnson said 60 per cent of the project has been completed.

As of Thursday, the plant was temporarily using powdered activated carbon to help cut the mustiness in water. Johnson said the problem with that method is that it doesn't eliminate the taste and odour, but reduces the severity of it.

While the WSA and the treatment facility say the treated water is safe for drinking, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) recommended checking for signs of blue-green algae before taking a dip in an open water body.

Maurice Hennink, a medical health officer with the SHA, said the algae remains a major cause of worry due to its impact on people and animals going out for a swim.