Water customers of the City of Shreveport may notice a temporary and non-harmful change in their water taste or odor. Algae blooms are regular seasonal occurrences in Cross Lake but vary in frequency and duration. Current conditions favor a bloom, and tests conducted indicate the presence of algae at elevated concentrations, which has imparted an earthy taste or odor in the water. While the odor or taste may be noticeable, there are no known health effects caused by the presence of these compounds.
Since the detection of the compounds, the Department of Water and Sewerage has adjusted treatment chemicals and processes to rectify this, and customers can expect to see improvements in the coming days. If you experience these issues, please report them to the City’s water quality lab at (318) 673-7654 to schedule a flush of your area. The water remains entirely safe for consumption.
“We are monitoring the levels of algae and odorants and treating them until water quality returns to normal,” said Willam Daniel, Director of Water and Sewerage. “We hope that by informing the public of the potential impact of the algal bloom, we can alleviate any concerns that customers may have if they notice an abnormal taste or smell to their water.”
With the completion of the $36.5 million T. L. Amiss Water Treatment Plant Ozone Improvements Project, water customers can expect to see a noticeable difference in their water soon. When the system is fully operational, citizens can expect episodes like this to be infrequent, with minimal impact on taste and odor.
