Taste and Odor Compounds

The taste and odor of your drinking water can give you an indication of its quality, but it does not indicate if the water is safe or unsafe.

Unpalatable taste or smell may be a result of MIB and Geosmin compounds that we test for.

Geosmin and MIB are found in source waters such as lakes, reservoirs and running water like streams and rivers. Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, are some of the major producers of these compounds. The concentration of these compounds in parts per trillion will cause an earthy, musty odor.