Does Your Tap Water Smell Bad? Don't Worry

Updated 2:50 p.m. Oct. 8

If you notice your tap water smells bad this week, don't be alarmed.

According to Greenfield Superintendent of Public Works Dan Ewert, Milwaukee Water Works, the city's water supplier, has shut down the ozone filters at its Howard Avenue plant for the rest of the week during routine maintenance and servicing.

Milwaukee Water Works informed Ewert the water is safe to use and drink, but the ozone filters reduce or eliminate the smells.

In an email sent by Milwaukee Water Works Superintendent Carrie Lewis, Lewis said customers may notice a slight musty or earthy or moldy lake water smell in their tap water, especially those on the south side or near-north side of the service area.

Work began Oct. 1, and ozone treatment will resume Oct. 15 or earlier, according to Lewis.

"Ozonation is a very effective, known treatment process for disinfection of drinking water," Lewis said in her email. "Ozone also has the benefit of reducing and eliminating earthy and musty tastes and odors in the water we take from Lake Michigan.

"In the meantime, the rest of the water treatment system at the plant is fully operational and effective, and we are continuously monitoring the water quality to ensure it is pure and safe to drink."