BOUNTIFUL—Last week some Bountiful residents got an unwelcome surprise when they turned on their taps – green water. Despite the color, the city said the water is safe to drink and not that uncommon during the spring runoff.

“You see that green color during the peak times in the spring, and in a drought year you’re going to have more,” said Director of Bountiful City Water Kraig Christensen. “The water goes through plant treatment and bacteria and residuals are all fine. With the chlorine nothing can live in it that’s going to harm you. It’s just the aesthetic of the water.”

Color, smell, taste and odor are not something that is regulated as long as it is safe to drink, he said. “We’ve sent samples to Davis County, and multiple labs to test it for us. Davis County did clear all of our samples and we submitted more on Monday. Everything’s fine.”

A brand new treatment plant was built in Mueller Park in 2017-2018, said Christensen. “It has an ultra filtration system but doesn’t have charcoal like it had. It went fully online in 2018-2019.”

As the water runs over new growth, grasses and trees it picks up that color, he said. “In a drought year the reservoirs on the upper benches are all full so we’re dropping water to the lower reservoirs. That way we’re able to keep the aquifers filled on the lower part of the city which is why more people are seeing green water versus other years. The green water should last until the snow runoff starts to happen.”

The green color is more noticeable in a bathtub or washing machine, said Christensen. “It’s less noticeable in smaller quantities. More people are seeing it as opposed to other people who are used to it at this point.”

Christensen said during a severe drought they want to make sure resources are available for this year and for future use. “We want to conserve all of our resources.” 

The city has been working with the Division of Drinking Water, he said. “We want the residents to have good, safe water. That’s what we try our best to do and what we take pride in. We want to try and get that out to the public so they know.” λ