City Still Purchasing Treated Water From CCWD

The is still in bloom, officials say, but the Contra Costa Water District, which owns the reservoir, is working to kill off the algae and return the water source to normal.

Contra Costa Water District spokeswoman Jennifer Allen said the district has tried several methods to get rid of the algae, which is caused by the many nutrients and other chemicals that get into the water as it passes through the delta to the reservoir. The district is now using hydrogen dioxide to treat the water and kill the algae.

“We’re doing what we can,” Allen said. “It’s getting better.”

Allen said Monday that the district is still selling its treated water to Martinez while it continues to try and eradicate the algae growth that caused serious taste and odor problems in Martinez water for several months.

Public Works director Dave Scola said the city is buying the treated water from CCWD for the same price it purchases raw water, while the raw water from the reservoir is being treated.

The city usually purchases raw water from CCWD and treats it at the Martinez Purification Plant, for sale to customers throughout the city. However, the standard treatment methods do not remove the taste and odor problems associated with the algae growth from the reservoir water.

Both city and CCWD officials insist that even with the taste and odor problems, the water meets state and federal safety standards.