No one should be surprised that the water gets a little stinky a couple times a year. It happens every year and every year we are reminded that it is still OK to drink. Not the best shower experience ever, but if you travel like I have around the globe, you have experienced much worse. The DJ has this piece about it that doesn't mention Hetch Hetchy, but I have tasted/smelled a bit of stink from B'game water as well.
Unpleasant odors and flavors reported in drinking water this week are caused by a harmless algae byproduct, San Francisco water officials said Thursday. Ritchie said the problem was missed initially because it is extremely unusual to have algae problems in the cooler winter months, and no algae bloom is evident at the San Antonio Reservoir, the presumed source of the algae.
Now here is the kicker and why you should remember this post next summer when the rationing kicks in again
SFPUC Assistant General Manager Steve Ritchie said the water department began receiving customer complaints of earthy, musty flavors and odors on Friday, shortly after employees began taking steps to lower the water levels in local reservoirs in anticipation of rain.
I have a proposal: How about every building project approval in the Bay Area gets put on hold until approved plans are in place for more reservoir capacity? The more capacity that finds space, connecting pipes, funding and environmental approval, the more the building spigot gets opened. I know, I know. That makes way too much sense.
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