Water consumers across Harris County are once again complaining of odor and foul tasting water.

The North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA), one of the largest wholesale drinking water suppliers for independent neighborhoods, municipal utility districts, small municipalities, and permitted well owners released a statement saying “Some customers have reported taste and odor issues with the water being delivered by the North Harris County Regional Water Authority. This water, purchased from the City of Houston, is withdrawn from Lake Houston and is treated at the City’s Northeast Water Purification Plant before being delivered to the Authority.”

The taste and odor issues are the result of naturally-occurring compounds sometimes produced by seasonal algae blooms.

The NHCRWA has deliberately managed their system, reducing the amount of water taken from the City of Houston and supplementing the water supply by using NHCRWA wells.

NHCRWA says “The water being delivered is perfectly safe to drink.”

The Questions & Answers below are provided by the City of Houston Department of Public Works and Engineering Public Utilities Division in reference to recent changes detected in Lake Houston.