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Geosmin detected in Halifax water supply again

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Geosmin detected in Halifax water supply again
WATCH ABOVE: Halifax Water says it's detected Geosmin in its water supply again. Global's Steve Silva reports – Sep 14, 2016

Halifax Water says it has detected geosmin in the water supply again.

“It kind of gives an earthy beet, musty kind of smell, and that’s back a little bit in Pockwock [Lake], so some of our customers have noticed that. Most customers can’t detect it but some can,” James Campell, communications and public relations coordinator for the organization, said.
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The lake provides water for the Bedford, Fall River, Halifax, Sackville, Timberlea and Waverley communities in the municipality.

On the municipal government’s website, geosmin is described as “a naturally-occurring compound produced by bacteria in soil and algae found in surface water (lakes, rivers, stream, dams).”

Campell said Halifax Water has been monitoring the water systems constantly over the past couple of weeks.

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“This has been one of the driest summers in decades,” he said. “We’re at historic lows in all reservoirs but Lake Major is a little more of a concern but nothing to panic about at this time.”

That lake provides water for Cole Harbour, Dartmouth, Eastern Passage, Westphal.

Campell said the organization has been trying to fix the situation for years but “it’s going to be a long-term situation and not inexpensive to repair.”

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