Unusual Water Taste May Continue For Several Days

Algae blooms in the Ohio River are responsible for an unusual taste and odor in Louisville’s drinking water. And it could continue for several more days.The blooms are caused by warm, sunny weather, and the unusual taste comes from an organic chemical the algae releases when it dies. The Louisville Water Company treats the water to remove the substance, but some customers still notice its presence.Water Company spokesperson Kelley Dearing Smith says the chemical is harmless, and may still be noticeable through early September."It could continue for the next several days," she says. "It's really dependent upon the weather. As long as it stays dry, when we have algae spikes in the river, we're able to attack it, but in terms of a treatment issue we may be dealing with this for the next couple of weeks."Smith says more than 200 customers have called to report the odd taste and smell.For more on the chemicals the algae releases, visit The Edit.