Burnsville, Savage find water a little too flavorful

Considering all the formulas, mixtures and adjustments he has dealt with since Burnsville's $13 million surface-water treatment plant opened last year, Public Works Director Bud Osmundson could justify changing his title to Mad Scientist.

At the very least, he is undeterred.

The latest episode in Osmundson's personal version of chemical warfare focuses on getting neighboring Savage, Burnsville's partner in the plant, hooked back up to its water. Savage stopped using the water two months ago because of residents' complaints about the taste and odor of the water, as well as about a white residue showing up on pots, pans, glassware and dishes.

The plant removes water from a quarry and treats it for reuse as drinking water. Before the plant was built, the water was pumped into the Minnesota River.

But since the plant opened, Burnsville has had its own taste and odor issues, which have been traced to algae. The city hired an outside firm to examine the problem and determined the residue is being caused by the harder Burnsville water mixing with the higher-pH Savage water.

Burnsville also analyzed its water for pH, hardness and alkalinity. The solution involves adding a blended phosphate to the water.

According to Osmundson, the cities will make a joint announcement next week, when Savage is expected to get back on line.

Savage Public Works Director John Powell said the city received about 85 complaints from residents before the decision to disconnect from the system. He said he is confident Burnsville is doing everything in its power to make the necessary changes.

"There will be ongoing testing," Powell said. "Any time you have a new system in place, there is going to be some fine-tuning."

Burnsville has struggled to find the right balance of treatments since the surface water treatment plant opened last summer.

Last November, Burnsville spent $174,000 to purchase granulated activated carbon following complaints from residents about the smell and taste of the water. Chlorine levels also have had to be adjusted.

Osmundson is hopeful the Burnsville City Council will approve in April a new feeder system for powdered activated carbon that would eliminate the odor and taste issues that have been traced to algae.