Noticed a weird smell or taste in your tap water this week? Water authorities have begun treating raw water from the Potomac River with a carbon process, after customers began complaining on Monday. WTOP’s Neal Augenstein reports the musty odor is the result of warmer temperatures in the river, which has led to an odd-smelling algae bloom.

According to an engineer quoted in the story, the carbon process is designed to absorb odors. The carbon is later removed in the rest of the treatment process, so the odors are absorbed and then water is delivered to customers with less taste and/or odor.

Arlington, Falls Church and D.C. residents may have all noticed the funny smell or taste. Washington Aqueduct, where water that serves the region is treated, is reassuring the public that the water still meets all of the drinking water safety standards.

Have you noticed?

Photo by kmcgee01