City of Fort Worth – Water Safe to Drink Despite Taste & Odor Issues

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth Water Department is experiencing changes in the taste and odor of the drinking water coming from the North Holly and South Holly water treatment plants. The problems are currently most notable in the central and north areas of the city. Some communities that purchase water from Fort Worth have reported experiencing the same issues, particularly Keller and Southlake.

The water department assures customers the water is safe for drinking, cooking, bathing and all other purposes, even though smell or taste may not be pleasant.

Several factors are contributing to the taste and odor issues, including the seasonal raw water factors and issues with new liquid ammonium sulfate feed system at the South Holly facility. The chemical feed system problems have been corrected.

The water department is also making operational adjustments to reduce production at the Holly treatment plants and increase production at the Rolling Hills Treatment Plant, which is not experiencing the taste and odor issues. In addition, field crews have been flushing lines.

Customers should notice some improvement by Saturday, but taste and odor issues may persist for another couple of months. By the end of August, the new ozone primary disinfection system should be operational at the North and South Holly plants. Ozone disinfection is highly effective in treating taste and odor problems. The Fort Worth Water Department uses ozone treatment at the Rolling Hills and Eagle Mountain Water Treatment Plants.

During the ozone conversion at the two Holly plants, the carbon feed system that was used when taste and odor issues arose, had to be removed.

Customers may improve the taste of their drinking water by:

• refrigerating the water in an open container; or
• adding a slice of lemon or lime.

Please call at 817-392-4477 if you have additional questions or concerns regarding your drinking water.

The wholesale customers that regularly purchase water include Bethesda Water Supply Corp., Burleson, Crowley, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dalworthington Gardens, Edgecliff Village, Everman, Forest Hill, Grand Prairie, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst , Keller, Kennedale, Lake Worth, Northlake, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills,  Roanoke, Saginaw, Southlake, Trophy Club Municipal Utility District, Westlake, Westover Hills, Westworth Village and White Settlement.