Control of Odor and Taste in Water Supplies

The road to universally palatable water, however, has been only partially traversed, even though suitable control methods are available. Some operators refuse to admit their responsibility to their consumers, while others laugh off complaints, and still others do not know that the water they are delivering is unpalatable. John Baylis' statement in 1924 is still applicable in many communities today and is worthy of repetition. "The removal or prevention of [objectionable tastes] should receive more consideration from our water works officials." There are many progressive water works officials throughout the United States, however, who are showing an increasing willingness to spend whatever is necessary to reduce tastes and odors to palatable levels. During 1956 the city of Chicago (2) expended nearly $150,000 for activated carbon to control tastes and odors at the South District Filtration Plant. This