Seasonal Taste & Odour Advisory

Public Notice from the Lake Huron & Elgin Area Water Supply Systems

July 21, 2025 - During routine water quality monitoring we have recently started detecting geosmin in the raw water entering the Lake Huron WTP. Geosmin is a naturally occurring organic compound that is caused by cyanobacteria or algae. Geosmin is harmless and there is no impact to health, however it can cause taste and odour in treated drinking water.

It is possible that this taste and odour event may persist throughout the summer, therefore we have proactively posted a seasonal taste and odour advisory on our website for information.

At the Lake Huron WTP operations staff are increasing the frequency of sampling/testing and will continue to make operational adjustments to the powdered activated carbon (PAC) system as needed to address taste and odour.