It is a common misconception that clean, safe drinking water has no taste or smell. In fact, the taste of water is affected by a variety of factors, including where it comes from (surface water vs. groundwater), weather and temperature, the treatment process, etc.

Each Spring, Charleston Water System's water develops what's most often described as an earthy or musty taste and odor. This does not affect the healthfulness of the water—just the taste and smell.

It's caused by warm temperatures and increased sunlight, which promote algae growth and water turnover in our primary water supply, the Bushy Park Reservoir. These organics produce a harmless, but sometimes unpleasant, taste and odor that can be detected by the human nose at very small levels (less than 10 parts per tillion).

We can minimize the taste and odor by adjusting our treatment process, namely by adding activated carbon to our water, which adsorbs the compounds responsible. Each Spring, we monitor taste and odor complaints closely and begin adding carbon when the complaints reach a certain threshold. Our lab also conducts smell tests frequently to try and detect when the taste and odor event begins.

For more information, read a press release about Springtime taste and odor. To report a taste and odor concern, e-mail us or call our Customer Service Center at 843-727-6800.

Charleston Water System's water meets, and in some cases exceeds all drinking water quality standards set forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Every year, Charleston Water System and all other water utilities are required by law to compile a water quality report, also called a Consumer Confidence Report, and make it available to all customers. Charleston Water System's water quality report is mailed with all bills in May of each year.

View the 2009 Water Quality Report (PDF)

Click a link to the right to download a report.