Drinking water has been smelling, tasting funky in Clovis. Here’s what city says it is
CORRECTION: Chad McCollum, Economic Development and Housing and Communications Director for the City of Clovis, said the earthy taste from the water in Clovis last week was the result of a naturally occurring compound called geosmin from the treated surface water.
For many Clovis residents this week, their tap water has had an unpleasant taste and odor.
Some have said the water coming out of the faucet has tasted like dirt. Others have said they have even smelled the unpleasant odor coming from the water in the shower. Either way, it’s caused sudden concerns about their drinking water.
“Is anyone in the Clovis area having a problem with their water smelling like sewage and tastes bad too?” Clovis resident Frances Brown wrote on the Nextdoor.com app.
“Seems my home is and the water dept says there’s been other complaints.”
Nonetheless, the City of Clovis said the tap water is plenty safe to drink and use for bathing.
Turns out the “earthy taste” of the water, as the city described it, was a result of the public utilities department treating the water.
“What you’re detecting is a naturally occurring compound called ‘geosmin’ from the treated surface water,” the City of Clovis said in a social media posting. “Geosmin can give water an earthy or dirt-like taste or smell.
“Some people have a higher sensitivity than others, and while the taste and odor can be unpleasant, geosmin is not toxic or harmful.”
According to the City of Clovis, geosmin is produced by various organisms that thrive when source water temperatures are high.
The City of Clovis has been adding treatment to the water to help lessen the presence of the compound.
As of Friday afternoon, the taste of tap water in Clovis seemed less funky but still had a slight bit of an odd taste.
The City of Clovis said geosmin cannot be removed entirely from conventional treatment processes and that they’re looking into a long-term solution to combat what’s apparently a seasonal issue.
“I’ve lived in my Clovis house since 1985 and in this area since 1965, and I never had noticed something as bad as this in the past,” Brown said. “I’m glad they got to it.
“The guy who rents a room from me, he said I couldn’t even brush his teeth with the water cause it tasted nasty.”
For additional information, residents are answered to contact the Public Utilities Department at 559-324-2600.
This story was originally published August 19, 2023 at 5:30 AM.