Since I decided to post about Claremore’s stinky and bad-tasting water yesterday, I thought it only fair to contact the city and see what they had to say. The Claremore city website lists Janet Donnelly as the Water Resources Director. Her name did not show up in the online directory, though, so I guessed at her email address and sent:

Ms. Donnelly,

I am a Claremore citizen, and I am growing increasingly concerned with the odor and taste of our municipal water supply. It’s to the point that it can be tasted in the iced tea and even through soda fountains in restaurants. I have spoken with restaurant owners who confirm this and who are facing the expensive reality of installing filtration systems to have to deal with it.

I understand that our water supply is perfectly safe, according to the numbers, but it’s not palatable. Can you provide some information as to what’s wrong with the water and what, if anything, the city is doing to overcome these issues?

I guessed right, for this morning she replied with this:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concern for our drinking water quality; every water source has its own unique characteristics which may produce taste and odor problems. The primary issue with Lake Claremore is the nutrient load in the Dog Creek Watershed which feeds Lake Claremore creates an excess of algae and vegetation. These contain chemical compounds that while aesthetically unpleasing are considered secondary contaminants and are not currently regulated.

The City of Claremore treats for the removal of these compounds with activated carbon, however periodically the level of these compounds reaches such high levels treatment becomes less effective.

The City of Claremore also continually monitors the bacteriological safety of your drinking water and if the water would become unsafe to drink at any time you would be notified immediately.

Again thank you for your concern and if I may be of further assistance to you please do not hesitate to contact me.

Looks like I’ve been told that it’s safe to drink, they know it smells and tastes bad, and they don’t intend to do anything about it.