West Columbia Implements $40 Million Ozonation Technology to Improve Tap Water Quality

West Columbia Tackles Smelly Water with New Solutions

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — If you’ve taken a sip from the tap recently, you might have noticed something a little off about the water in West Columbia, particularly if you’ve been near Lake Murray. Some residents have reported a strange, earthy taste along with a less-than-pleasant odor that can sometimes resemble a fishy smell. Fortunately, city officials are stepping up to tackle these taste and odor concerns head-on!

Understanding the Problem

To get to the bottom of this issue, we turned to Andy Zaengle, the Director of Engineering and Water Plants for West Columbia. According to him, recent weather patterns have played a significant role in the situation we’re seeing. “Heavy rainfall, increased runoff, and high temperatures have all contributed to more algal blooms in Lake Murray,” Zaengle explained.

But what does that actually mean for your drinking water? When these algal blooms die off, they release certain organic compounds called MIB (methylisoborneol) and geosmin. These substances are what give our water that distinct earthy taste and smell that many residents have experienced. And let’s be honest, it’s not the kind of splash we hope to enjoy!

What Residents Are Saying

The reactions from residents have been mixed, but many have voiced their thoughts on the unusual odors. One lakeside resident shared, “On windy days, especially, we noticed a very foul smell and fishy odor coming from the lake. I’ve always been told, ‘Oh, it’s just the lake, so it’s normal,’ but honestly, it’s not a nice smell.”

Steps Toward a Solution

In light of these concerns, West Columbia, alongside the Town of Lexington and the Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission, is pushing forward with plans to improve the situation. As part of the Lake Murray Water Treatment Plant expansion, the city is investing $40 million in a state-of-the-art ozonation technology. Sounds fancy, right?

Zaengle described this process as a way to inject ozone gas into the water, which essentially acts like a scrub for those pesky compounds causing the unpleasant taste and smell. “We will dissolve the gas into the water, and then we let it oxidize those compounds,” he said. Not only does this technology tackle taste and odor issues, but it also has the added bonus of killing viruses and bacteria without needing extra chemicals. Talk about a win-win!

What to Expect Moving Forward

While the water is still deemed safe to drink, officials advise residents to take some extra precautions in the meantime. They recommend filtering your water and letting it chill in the fridge overnight before using it. A little extra patience can go a long way in ensuring a refreshing drink!

As for when the new solutions will be implemented? Residents can look forward to seeing these upgrades roll out in fall 2027. So although we may have some time to wait, change is definitely on the horizon!

Encouraging Community Engagement

The city is committed to keeping the community informed as these improvements progress. It’s always nice to see local leaders stepping up to address concerns that affect everyday life, reminding us all that our voices matter. So let’s stay tuned for updates on these exciting improvements and work together to ensure that our beloved Lake Murray boasts fresh and clean water for everyone.