RESA received the following information from SJWC explaining the upcoming water taste and smell that we may encounter in the next few days.
“Last night San Jose Water’s Montevina Water Treatment Plant suffered a leak, resulting in flooding that submerged pumps critical to operations. As a result, the plant had to be shut down. The water quality served to your area was not compromised during this event. At this time, we do not know how long Montevina will remain offline. We are assessing the damage and will provide an update once information is available.
“Today SJW will begin to supply the Mountain District with water. The area will be served by our 7-Mile Well Station, which will result in a transition from chloraminated surface water to free chlorinate groundwater. To prepare for this change, SJW is asking Mountain District system operators to begin lowering tanks in the area.
“Please note that this switch from surface water to groundwater will result in aesthetic changes to the water quality such as taste or smell. Groundwater disinfected with free chlorine has an earthier smell. Chlorine is more readily detectable in taste and smell than chloramine. Groundwater has higher hardness, meaning you may notice white deposits, scale, and spotting on dishware.”