Every year as outside temperatures change seasonally lakes and other bodies of water “turn over” whereby the organic materials which naturally accumulate on the bottom of the lake rise to the top. Although all bodies of water “turn over”, it is those lakes which are used for human water supply which challenge all water treatment operators to produce clean and safe water while dealing with the seasonal taste and odor complaints which result from the lake “turning over”.

Due to the recent abundant rainfalls which filled both Lake Frederick and Tom Steed Reservoir to capacity and beyond after being at extremely low levels, an extra quantity of organic material has been present in the raw water causing normal water treatment processes to not deal with taste and odor issues as effectively as usual. The Frederick Water utility has responded to the present situation as follows:

€ the careful addition of potassium permanganate during the water treatment process to deal with the taste and odor problem without causing other issues;

€ OK Department of Environmental Quality representatives were invited to visit the Frederick Water Treatment Plant to confirm that the water being produced for distribution is safe to drink and to provide technical assistance in dealing with the present situation; it was confirmed that the water is safe and that the extra treatment processes being utilized are the most effective methods available; and

€ the City's consulting engineer has also reviewed the present circumstances, consulted with the DEQ representatives and has made arrangements for a chemist specializing in water treatment issues to be in Frederick to provide additional technical assistance in the next few days.

Based upon customer input, it appears that some relief from the taste and odor has begun, where some areas of the distribution reported more taste and odor than others. However, it is nearly impossible to predict when this situation will be remedied for any specific service area due to variables such as where the customer is tapped onto the distribution system.