The city of Columbus is spending 600 thousand dollars to treat the drinking water drawn from Hoover Reservoir and processed at the Hap Cremean water plant, after complaints about a foul smell and flavor. Laura Young Mohr with the Columbus Department of Public Utilities says more than 500 thousand customers are affected by the problem that was first reported in the fall.
Young Mohr says the problem also stems from algae that produces earthy and pond-like flavors and odors, so officials are treating the water with five times the amount of carbon that is normally used.
Young Mohr says carbon treatments are expected to continue until the issue is resolved.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency says it's testing found no contaminants in the water.