Water customers who get their H20 from plants that pull out of the Congaree river may have noticed distasteful color and taste issues in the last week.

But the state Department of Health and Environmental Control says that while the water might not be pleasant, it’s safe to drink.

“The color and taste issues in water from the City of Columbia, the City of West Columbia and the City of Cayce are the result of an algal bloom in the Broad and Congaree rivers,” the department states in a Friday news release.  

“DHEC has sampled the rivers and confirmed the presence of algae-related compounds that are causing the taste and odor concerns. Testing found that while the levels detected are a nuisance, they are not a current health concern.”

Both West Columbia and Cayce issued statements about water issues this week.

“The City of West Columbia Riverside Water Treatment Facility is aware of concerns about a taste and odor in the drinking water,” the city states in a Tuesday news release. “The water supply has been thoroughly tested and meets all SCDHEC standards. The water distributed by the Riverside Water Treatment Facility is safe to drink. The issue is aesthetic and not a water quality concern.

“The water coming into the Congaree River is presenting increased levels of organic compounds, which can cause an earthy, musty taste, and odor in the water,” the release continues,” the release continues. “The City of West Columbia is working tirelessly to mitigate the effect of the increased organic compounds serving as a contributing factor of taste and odor in the drinking water. We are committed to providing safe drinking water for all customers and will continue to work diligently to address consumers’ taste and odor concerns.”

Cayce emphasized Tuesday on its city Facebook page that its water has been tested and is safe to drink.

“The City of Cayce receives its water from the Congaree River. It appears that the river contains an algae that could cause a slight taste and odor for some of our City water customers,” the post states. “It is a normal practice to treat the drinking water with a DHEC-approved activated carbon in the treatment process to remove unwanted taste and odor.

“Our water treatment process continues to meet all DHEC standards, is being closely monitored by City staff, and is being treated with activated carbon as an added precaution.”