Algae Bloom Causes Unpleasant Water Taste in Greeley, Colorado
Residents in Greeley, Colorado, are experiencing musty-smelling and metallic-tasting tap water due to an algae bloom affecting the city's water supply. The bloom occurred in Boyd Lake and Lake Loveland, driven by weeks of high temperatures reaching the 90s and near 100 degrees. Sean Chambers, director of Greeley's Water and Sewer Department, explained that the algae thrive in warm water with ample nutrients and sunlight. The city's water treatment process has struggled to remove the taste and odor caused by the decaying algae. The issue primarily affects customers west of 35th Avenue, who receive water from the affected lakes, while other areas are supplied by the Poudre River. Despite the unpleasant taste, the water remains safe for consumption. The city is using activated carbon to treat the water, but the system has been challenged by the rapid algae decay. Officials expect the situation to improve as better-treated water enters the system, with normal taste and odor anticipated by the end of the week. 
