Water Smell and Taste

It’s that time of year again.

If you are experiencing water odor or taste issues, the condition may be caused by the annual algae bloom in Lake Houston during the summer months and is a common occurrence when the temperature in Lake Houston rises. The water the District receives from the RWA meets all regulatory standards and is safe to drink.

The City of Houston has created a Drinking Water Taste and Smell FAQ page on their website, https://www.houstonpublicworks.org/drinking-water-taste-and-smell.

The RWA & City of HOU jointly own the NE Water Purification Plant (NEWPP) that treats the water from Lake Houston. The plant is undergoing an upgrade expected to be completed later this year. The upgrade will include a new filtration system that is supposed to address the annual algae bloom smell & taste problem. Won’t help us this year but let’s hope it solves the problem for next year.

While no one likes to spend money, in-line water filters strategically placed on your kitchen, bathroom, and or laundry room lines can help. A whole home water filter system is another option but is more expensive to install.

If you wish to lodge a complaint, you can do so by calling the RWA at 281-440-3924.