Cape Town tap water safe to drink, despite 'sandy' taste

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Residents of the Mother City have recently reported an earthy, sandy taste to their tap water.

City of Cape Town officials have since assured the public that the metro’s tap water remains safe to drink.

According to a City statement, the temporary change in taste is due to geosmin. This is a naturally-occurring organic compound currently present in the Theewaterskloof Dam—Cape Town’s main water source.

“It poses no threat to human health,” the statement read.

“Tap water remains safe to drink and is compliant with South African Drinking Water Quality Standards (SANS 241: 2015).”

So what exactly is geosmin?

Geosmin is a naturally-occurring compound. It is responsible for the fresh smell after rain following a dry spell, and the earthy taste of certain vegetables like beetroot, mushrooms and spinach.

Geosmin is associated with the breakdown of algae and other micro-organisms in raw water sources.

Usually undetectable, geosmin becomes more noticeable during hot weather when its levels rise.

“Even minute concentrations of a few parts per trillion can be detected by the human palate,” the City of Cape Town added.

The taste and smell change has primarily affected tap water in the central and southern areas of the metro.

“I’d like to assure residents that the City’s engineers, lab scientists and process controllers are closely monitoring this situation,” said the City’s Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

“The water teams at Faure and Blackheath water treatment plants have also boosted their already rigorous water treatment process, by dosing powdered activated carbon to reduce the effect of the geosmin.”