CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Several cities in the Charlotte region are addressing concerns about stinky water.
People in Albemarle, Concord, and Harrisburg may have noticed an odor and different taste coming from the water.
City leaders said an algae bloom in the Tuckertown Water Reservoir in Albemarle is to blame. The reservoir also provides water to parts of Concord and Harrisburg.
"It's definitely had like an earthy taste, definitely different than what people are used to,” said Rhianna Coley, a server at Off the Square restaurant in downtown Albemarle.
Coley said customers have noticed the change in water recently.
"I have had a few people order something different after ordering water, saying that it does taste different,” Coley added, “and some people won't even eat the ice."
Across town, Five Points Public House is seeing the same issue.
"It definitely poses as a problem, you know, we have to talk to several of the tables and let them know that there's nothing wrong with the water itself, it's just not very good as it normally is,” said Assistant General Manager Tyler Vaughn.
According to a release from the City of Concord, “Concord staff have and continue to test the water to ensure it is safe and meets all regulatory requirements. There are no health concerns with drinking or otherwise using this water even with the unpleasant odor. Warm water will cause the smell to be more pronounced.”
Albemarle City Manager Michael Ferris said the city has changed its water treatment process and is flushing the system. He said there have been no complaints about the water since last Wednesday.
Ferris added that the issue is more of an aesthetic issue and not a water quality issue.
"It definitely seems like today (Monday) it's been the best that it has in the last few weeks, and I’m hoping that it’s just going to continue to get better,” Vaughn said.
Until it’s back to normal, restaurant employees said they’ll have plenty of alternatives on hand.
“We’ll just continue to buy bottles of water,” Coley said.