KAWARTHA LAKES-Residents in Lindsay recently contacted Kawartha 411 and expressed concern about their drinking water after it became very cloudy and had a strong smell.
The City says water in municipal systems is prone to becoming cloudy or greyish-coloured due to unseasonably warm temperatures during the day and colder temperatures at night. Fluctuating temperatures can cause more air to be trapped in the water, resulting in cloudiness. Officials stress this has no effect on the quality of the water and it is safe to drink.
“We’d like to thank the residents that have reached out about their drinking water in Lindsay. We completely understand it can be concerning, however, I want to reiterate that the drinking water in Kawartha Lakes is continuously monitored and remains safe to drink,” said Amber Hayter, Manager, Water and Wastewater, Kawartha Lakes.
The cloudiness should disperse when the cold water tap is run for a few minutes or if the water is put into a jug or container in the fridge. Hot water that is cloudy can usually be resolved by lowering the setting on your hot water heater.
If you experience a chlorine smell the City recommends:
Chlorine is added to the water to kill any harmful germs and to make it safe for drinking. Chlorine levels are kept well within the regulated limits and are monitored 24-hours a day. Chlorine smell in the water is often caused by the dissipation of the gas from the water, changes in water temperature, high demand for water or a change in operational demands. To reduce the smell or taste of chlorine, residents can keep a jug of water in the fridge as chlorine disperses over time.
