Lexington, is your tap water tasting weird? Here’s why that might be the case
Some Lexington water customers have reported that their tap water has tasted different in recent days.
A few residents have taken to the internet to complain about water that tastes “earthy,” metallic, or dirt-like.
That’s likely the result of seasonal changes — which should not worry users, said a representative from Kentucky American Water.
Susan Lancho, a spokesperson for the utility company that supplies water to Lexington, said the most common reason for changes in water taste around this time of year has to do with “organic” material that affects taste but is harmless.
Those changes often occur around this time of year, particularly in water stored at the Jacobson Park reservoir, due to spring temperature swings. That can trigger the decomposition of algae, which has caused water to taste earthier than normal elsewhere.
“Transitioning from the spring to the summer, that can sometimes happen with source water. That’s a seasonal type of thing, and with the Jacobson Reservoir we sometimes experience that. The water is perfectly safe to drink, it’s still meeting all requirements, it’s just sometimes a matter of the organics in the water,” Lancho said.
The reservoir at Jacobson Park, located on Richmond Road in southeast Lexington, is a major source of drinking water in the Central Kentucky area, with other Kentucky American Water sources along the Kentucky River.
Aside from seasonal changes in a reservoir setting, some customers have also noted the utility’s response to maintenance on water lines.
Lancho said that maintenance should have no effect on customers’ taste. If a customer’s water main, or any water line, were undergoing maintenance, the customer would be notified.
Lancho said the company is replacing aging water mains in the city “on an ongoing basis,” and a new replacement program will start in July, she said.
One large water main replacement is taking place in the Bryanwood Avenue area in north Lexington, she said.
In some cases, particularly when the company finds that a customer could be exposed to lead in their drinking water, the company will provide a water filter to a customer.
If a customer experiences issues with their water, Lancho encourages them to contact Kentucky American Water at the company’s customer service line at 1-800-678-6301.
This story was originally published June 16, 2023 at 10:02 AM.
