Water Safe Despite Algae, SUEZ Tells Rockland Customers

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Rockland residents who get their water from SUEZ have been complaining about how it tastes, smells and looks — and worrying whether it's safe to drink. The company says it is.

The problem was caused by the weather: an unusually warm and dry August and September during which algae naturally in Lake DeForest released natural compounds including geosmin. (The human nose is extremely sensitive to geosmin.)

According to scientists at Brown University, "Geosmin, which literally translates to “earth smell,” was scientifically identified more than 100 years ago. In soil, bacteria produce the chemical compound. In water, blue-green algae make it. Along with the pleasant scent of warm, moist soil, geosmin is also responsible for the muddy “off” taste in some drinking water. That is why the substance is of interest to water purification experts and even vintners, who want to keep the benign but pungent substance out of their wine. "

SUEZ has treated the water to deal with the current situation and is pursuing more permanent treatment solutions, said company spokeswoman Deborah Rizzi.

SUEZ is taking steps to address the earthy taste and odor that some customers in Rockland County are experiencing in their drinking water.

Due to the unusually warm and dry weather in August and September, naturally occurring compounds in Lake DeForest released by algae caused water to taste and smell earthy. This change did not have any impact on the overall safety of the water, which meets all safe drinking water standards.

SUEZ requested and received two special permits from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to apply copper sulfate in September and October to address this situation. The most recent treatment was Wednesday, Oct. 30. Copper sulfate is used by water providers around the world to help reduce algae levels and associated tastes and odors.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience,” said Chris Graziano, vice president of SUEZ operations in New York. “While SUEZ is taking steps to monitor and minimize the impact of this issue, it is mainly related to weather and other conditions that are not under our control.”

The earthy taste is from geosmin that is related to the breakdown of algae. This naturally occurring compound is not harmful or toxic. The human nose is extremely sensitive to geosmin and can smell a teaspoon of geosmin in the equivalent of 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Cooler weather, recent rainfall and treatments of the 5.6 billion gallon Lake DeForest should help mitigate taste and odor issues. “Unfortunately, we can’t predict when this will occur,” said Graziano. The breakdown of algae is related to many changing factors that are usually weather-related.

SUEZ recognizes the need for a long-term solution. The company is finalizing the selection of treatment processes that will address not only aesthetic issues such as taste and odor but will also take into account newly proposed regulations in NY State.

SUEZ provides water services to about 300,000 people in Rockland and Orange counties.