Some Corpus Christi residents may continue to notice an earthy or musty taste and odor in their tap water over the next few days, city officials say.
Corpus Christi Water says the unusual water quality issue came from naturally occurring organic compounds in the water source. However, officials say testing now shows that the compounds are no longer detected in the source water.
Even so, the remaining compounds are still moving through the water distribution system. As a result, some customers may continue to notice changes in the taste or smell of their tap water before conditions return to normal.
What Caused the Unusual Tap Water Taste?
The city says naturally occurring organic compounds caused the earthy or musty taste and odor reported by some residents.
These compounds can affect the taste and smell of drinking water even at very low levels. While the compounds are no longer being detected in the source water, water already moving through the system can take additional time to pass through the distribution network.
As a result, residents in some areas may notice the unusual taste or odor for several more days.
Source Water No Longer Shows the Compounds
According to Corpus Christi Water, recent testing indicates that the compounds responsible for the issue are no longer present in the source water.
That development provides reassurance that the original source-water issue has passed. However, the city expects the water system to need more time to fully clear the remaining compounds.
Officials expect most areas to see noticeable improvement by early this week.
Some Residents May Still Notice Changes
Although the source water has returned to normal, customers may still notice an earthy or musty smell or taste when using their taps.
The experience may vary depending on where residents live because water moves through different parts of the distribution system at different times.
For that reason, some neighborhoods could notice improvement sooner than others.
Residents experiencing unusual taste or odor should not assume the issue means the source water remains affected. Instead, the city says the compounds are still moving through the system after the source-water levels returned to normal.
When Should Corpus Christi Water Improve?
Most areas should experience improvement by early this week, according to the city.
However, residents may notice the taste or odor for a few additional days depending on their location within the water system.
As the remaining water moves through the distribution network and gets replaced by water from the unaffected source, the unusual taste and odor should gradually disappear.
What Residents Can Do
Customers who have questions or concerns about their tap water can contact the city by calling 3-1-1.
Residents can also continue monitoring their water as the system returns to normal. If the unusual taste or odor persists beyond the expected improvement period, residents can contact 3-1-1 for additional information about conditions in their area.
For now, city officials say they no longer detect the compounds that caused the issue in the source water. The remaining concern involves water already moving through the system.
Water System Expected to Return to Normal
The latest update suggests that Corpus Christi’s water system is moving toward normal conditions after the temporary taste and odor issue.
While some residents may still notice an earthy or musty quality, the absence of the compounds in the source water marks an important step toward resolving the problem.
Residents should expect conditions to improve across most areas by early this week, although the timing may differ from one neighborhood to another.
Anyone with questions or continuing concerns can call 3-1-1 for assistance and additional information.