Mount Morgan residents who recently noticed a minor odour in their tap water or a different taste, can be rest assured, the water remains completely safe to use and drink.
The odour and taste was caused by a natural event, known as a dam inversion, which was brought about by weather changes and the presence of blue green algae.
Dam inversion occurs when there is a sudden drop in temperature, and when combined with strong winds it causes the surface water of a dam to cool rapidly. In this case, the surface water in No. 7 Dam became colder than the deeper water, causing the layers to flip or 'invert' and mix.
As a result, sediments from the bottom of the dam were stirred up and entered the Mount Morgan Water Treatment Plant.
While the treatment process was adjusted to remove most of these particles, some taste and odour compounds made it through to the final supply for a brief period.
The water is still perfectly safe to drink, cook with, bathe in, and use as normal. The only difference is a slight change in taste and smell, which can be surprising but is not dangerous.
Dam inversions are uncommon and short-lived. This kind of event only happens under very specific weather conditions and usually clears up within a few weeks.
The water should return to its normal taste and smell in the coming week.
