We are aware that some members may have noticed an earthy or musty taste and smell in the water supplied by the Delbert Mundt Water Treatment Plant near Beecher City. This is likely due to naturally occurring compounds, Geosmin and MIB, found in the Kaskaskia River, which serves as our source water for this plant. These compounds typically appear during the summer months, especially with lower rainfall, like we’re currently experiencing.
Please know that providing high-quality water is our top priority. We are working diligently with our vendors to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. However, this problem may exist for a few weeks before we can get this resolved. While some members may notice this more than others, rest assured that the water is completely safe to drink. Geosmin and MIB do not pose any health risks. We’ve included an image showing the area covered by the Delbert Mundt Water Treatment Plant to this post.
For more information about Geosmin and MIB, visit this helpful article: https://columbiascwater.net/geosmin-and-mib/