STREATOR – Illinois American Water’s Streator District is experiencing changes in the taste and odor of water provided to customers due to the prolonged high temperatures and the impact to the Vermillion River. Illinois American Water assures customers that drinking water continues to meet all regulatory quality standards. According to Jon Mase, operations superintendent for the Streator service area, a limited number of customers may experience aesthetic changes. “Our team continues to monitor source water from the Vermillion River and adjust water treatment as necessary. Our customers can rest assured that water quality
continues to meet EPA standards and is safe to drink.” Recent temperatures have affected the Vermillion River, a water source for the Streator service area. The river has seen an increase in geosmin, an organic compound commonly produced by algae and other microorganisms, resulting in earthy or musty tastes and odors. The human nose is extremely sensitive to geosmin and is able to detect it at concentrations as low as 5 to 10 parts per trillion. Geosmin is responsible for the earthy taste of beets and contributes to the strong scent that occurs in the air when rain falls or soil is disturbed.
Illinois American Water has implemented activated carbon treatment in the Streator District to mitigate the effects of geosmin in the source water. Including activated carbon in the water treatment process helps to decrease the aesthetic change in drinking water while ensuring it is safe. This is a common practice in water treatment and complies with regulatory standards. This process has helped Illinois American Water remove a large portion of the geosmin currently present in the source water. As progress is made, it can take a few days before all customers perceive a change in their drinking water. This is due to the time it takes for treated water to be delivered from the water treatment plant throughout the vast water distribution system.
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