Does your tap water taste or smell any different? It turns out that bacteria are the culprit.

State scientists say they have found elevated levels of naturally occurring, harmless bacterial by-products in tap water in certain areas of Philadelphia and some suburbs.

Brian Rademaekers of the Philadelphia Water Authority said that the city and some suburbs tap water from the Schuylkill River, and bacteria are a by-product of the natural conditions in the river at this time of the year. 6ABC.

“It’s just a combination of temperature and river flow,” Radmax said. “So, if we have fast flowing water and a slightly cooler temperature, you won’t get it.”

Officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection stated that they have been investigating complaints about malodorous water since July 6. Most of the complaints came from the northwestern suburbs of the city.

DEP Press Secretary Jamar Thrasher Tell the Delaware Daily Times Six water systems appear to be affected: Philadelphia, Pottstown, and Norristown, Pennsylvania. Aqua PA main system And Pennsylvania American Water in Royersford and Phoenixville.

Although the investigation is still ongoing, it seems to be blamed on a type of bacteria called “MIB” called 2-methylisoborneol.It is a Cyanobacteria This produces a muddy or musty smell in the drinking water, but it is completely harmless.

Drinking water in Philadelphia has a complicated history. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in 2019 40% of urban residents do not drink tap water. They choose bottled water because they are worried about low water quality.

“In fact, the drinking water treatment standards provided by Philadelphia are stricter than those required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. We have been doing this for nearly 25 years,” said Sarah Stevenson ( Sarah Stevenson) said.

DEP officials stated that residents do not need to boil the water before drinking it.Residents can Add fruits, such as fresh lemons, until the treatment agent is added to make the water smell and taste better.