Why is water in the Birmingham area funky right now? We’ve got answers

People in the Vestavia/Hoover area are upset — and for a valid reason. The water in their area has been reported to have an odor and taste weird.

Keep reading to find out why this is.

The issue is Geosmin

You might be asking, what the heck is Geosmin? According to Birmingham Water Works (BWW), Geosmin is a naturally occurring compound that is responsible for the unpleasant scent. We talked to BWW about this issue and here’s what they had to say:

“Geosmin is what gives fresh grapes, wines, beets, mushrooms, and carrots their earthy smell and taste. Drinking water utilities throughout the world that use rivers, lakes and streams as sources of drinking water production often have fluctuations in Geosmin levels due to seasonal changes, especially in the spring.”

Rick Jackson, Public Relations Manager, Birmingham Water Works

According to Jackson, as of Saturday, these are the areas that have gotten reported concerns:

• North Hoover
• Portions of Vestavia Hills
• Mountain Brook
• UAB

Water is safe to consume

While people have been given the green light to drink the water, some still can’t get over the smell. BWW is tackling the problem of sampling and flushing the water. Expect to have odorless water in the next few days.

Have you had problems with your water? Share your experiences on social media by tagging us @bhamnow.