Odd Water Taste In Towns Along Schuylkill Not Harmful: DEP

ROYERSFORD, PA — If you live along the Schuylkill River and your water has been tasting funny, the DEP said it's not dangerous, and to try adding lemon to drinking water to offset the naturally occurring contaminant thriving in the Schuylkill right now.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has reported that six water systems that draw from the Schuylkill River have received complaints about the taste of water from areas in Montgomery and Chester counties including West Pottsgrove, Lower Pottsgrove, Pottstown, Spring City.

The six water systems that have receive complaints that began coming in on July 6 are Pottstown, PA American Royersford, Phoenixville, Aqua PA Main System, PA American Norristown, and Philadelphia, the DEP reported.

DEP said it continues to work with these regulated public water systems to address the issue and identify the cause of the bad taste of the water.

" What has been found is elevated levels of 2- methylisoborneol (MIB) in the Schuylkill River, a species of cyanobacteria that is a naturally occurring nontoxic taste and odor-causing contaminant," said DEP Press Secretary Jamar Thrasher.

This is not the first time DEP has received reports of bad-tasting water along the Schuylkill River, but Thrasher said DEP's test have shown no danger.

Getting rid of the taste is a matter of water treatment adjustments, DEP said.

"The impacted systems are adjusting treatment to address odor and taste issues, but when MIB are noticeable, customers can add lemon juice and chill water in the refrigerator to improve the taste and reduce odors," a statement from DEP suggested.

Pottstown Borough alerted its residents on July 7 that "DEP is aware of issues with taste and odor of drinking water coming from systems that draw from the Schuylkill River. DEP is currently investigating these issues."

The notice said anyone with "a specific medical concern, please contact your health care provider. To report additional complaints or concerns to DEP, please either call 484-250-5900 or use the electronic complaint form."

Make sure you know what's happening in your town. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss any local news: https://patch.com/subscribe.