Have you noticed a strange taste or smell to your tap water?

Those who get their water from Lake Murray may soon notice a difference.

The Town of Lexington announced they are working with local agencies to get a handle on taste and odor issues due to increased algae in Lake Murray.

Rising temperatures, heavier rainfalls, and changes to the runoff entering the lake have caused larger algal blooms than usual.

The town says the changes are purely aesthetic, and the water is safe to drink.

The area’s water providers – The City of West Columbia, the Town of Lexington, and the Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission – say they are operating significant water quality monitoring programs to ensure federal and state water quality standards are always met.

Water providers are collaborating with the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to share water quality and soil sample analyses from Lake Murray, as well as online temperature measurements.

The utilities recommend pouring your tap water into a pitcher and refrigerating it overnight to help reduce the smell and taste.