Tired of that foul-tasting Columbia SC water? Here are 4 ways to improve the flavor
It’s been a rough few weeks for Columbia’s drinking water.
Residents have had to endure smelly, dirt-tasting tap water with no end in sight. Though harmless to people, geosmin, a byproduct created by an unprecedented algae bloom in the Broad River, has caused the smell and taste.
Columbia’s water service has been working to fix the problem. Officials said the water service has treated the river with activated carbon in recent weeks. The substance acts like a sponge for geosmin. Copper sulfate was added last week to fight the algae. Also, more additives arrived and were used to treat the water on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the city has requested aid from private sector experts who have “innovative technologies” to address the algae in Columbia’s water supply.
Still, the taste and smell remain.
While the city tries to get the issue under control, residents can improve the taste of their tap water on their own. Here are four ways to reduce that geosmin flavor, according to water quality experts.
- The flavor of geosmin can be offset by acid, like lemon juice or vinegar, which is why some earthy fish pair well with acidic sauce.
Cool your water in the fridge. The colder water will make your taste buds less receptive to the flavor of geosmin. It’s a temporary solution, but it’s better than nothing.
- Use a carbon filter. The filter might not eliminate the taste entirely, but using one can improve the flavor and make water more drinkable.
- Invest in a reverse-osmosis water-treatment system. This is the most effective system for removing all geosmin from the water. Also, having a system will ensure you won’t have to deal with the geosmin problem if it happens again.
This story was originally published June 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
