‘It is musty’: Wisconsin residents fed up with odor, bad taste in tap water
By TJ Dysart
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RACINE, Wisconsin (WISN) — Racine residents are raising concerns about musty-smelling and tasting tap water, an issue city officials say is linked to Lake Michigan and warmer temperatures.
The city, which gained national recognition in 2011 for having the best-tasting tap water in the United States, acknowledged the problem on Tuesday, assuring residents via social media that the water remains safe to drink, cook, and bathe in. However, many residents remain dissatisfied.
“I won’t even give it to my grandkids,” Katrinea Thornton said. “I won’t even make ice cubes out of it.”
Thornton has turned to bottled water, which she says tastes better and gives her peace of mind.
City officials attribute the issue to warmer temperatures causing increased bacteria growth in Lake Michigan. Joel Brunner, the city’s drinking water plant superintendent, said the same problem occurred last year, prompting the city to budget additional funds for water treatment and testing.
“We are also working with the DNR and engineering consultants utilizing our powder-activated carbon system,” Brunner said.
He explained that the carbon system, which still requires approval from the Department of Natural Resources, would significantly improve the water’s taste and odor.
“It wouldn’t completely remove it, but it would definitely help with the taste and odors,” Brunner said.
For residents like Thornton, relief cannot come soon enough.
“I think we should be able to drink the water that we pay for instead of going to the store and buy water,” she said.
WISN 12 News has reached out to the Department of Natural Resources for additional information but has not yet received a response.
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