The prolonged heat wave in the region is impacting the quality of water for residents who receive their supply from Rend Lake.
The Rend Lake Conservancy District has notified customers of possible recent changes in the taste and odor of drinking water.
They say this summer’s heat wave has produced warmer lake water which encourages growth of algae and algal blooms. The growth of algae results in increased production of organic compounds that, although completely harmless, sometimes produces undesirable tastes and odors in drinking water.
The district’s staff is implementing several proactive measures to ensure water quality continues to meet their standards.
They say the drinking water remains safe to drink and on-going testing continues to show all treated water leaving the water treatment plant exceeds safe drinking water standards as established by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
