Racine residents report unusual taste in drinking water while city officials maintain there is no indication the water safety is compromised.

Racine

Residents in Racine have recently reported that their tap water has developed an earthy, pond-like taste and odor. Multiple complaints have been submitted, and local media has sought answers from the city's water utility.

City officials state that water testing shows no indication of compromised safety. They attribute the changes in taste and smell to seasonal increases in lake temperatures and natural organic matter. The water utility continues to treat the water with chlorine and potassium permanganate to address taste and odor, and advises residents with ongoing concerns to contact the utility laboratory.

Racine officials maintain water is safe, despite residents report

It was always as simple as grabbing a glass and taking a sip. I normally brag to everyone about how good Racine's water tastes. Because it's like, we went to Texas and they were like, we have the best tasting water, and I'm like, oh no you don't. Racine has you way beat. April Wiggins tells TMJ4 recently that bragging has stopped. I can't drink the water right now. I just, every time I do, I can't finish the glass of water. It just doesn't taste right. For two weeks, April tells me her water has tasted earthy, like pond water. It tastes like you're drinking straight out of Lake Michigan. It doesn't taste right. And April is not alone. There's been discussion about this topic online, and TMJ4 has received multiple emailed complaints about the smell and taste of the water, asking us to get answers from the city's water utility. Back in July, the city's water utility released a statement saying, based on testing, there is no indication that the water safety is compromised. But in almost three weeks since then, problems are persisting. Saturday morning, I spoke to the superintendent from the water utility on the phone who reiterated what was said in July, saying the water is treated with chlorine to disinfect and potassium permanganate to combat bad taste and odor. In an emailed statement to TMJ4 on Saturday, the city says the lake's seasonal increase in temperatures and rise in natural organic matter can impact the taste. The city reasserted that your water is safe to consume. April says the taste has gotten a little bit better in the last few days, but it's still not good. I've lived in Racine my whole entire life, and I don't ever remember having the water taste like this before. Anyone with persisting issues is asked to call the water utility laboratory. In Racine, Brennan Jones. I hope this doesn't happen again because it's definitely has interrupted what we normally do for our lives. TMJ4 News.

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