How Does Your Water Smell?
		An Independent Study Project by Janis Aaron Moore prepared for Professor George Rough South Puget Sound Community College March, 2006

Water Odor

• Iron and sulfide, "working" together, support the growth of bacteria, which may cause an odor. Anaerobic bacteria reacting with the magnesium anode in the hot water heater forms hydrogen sulfide gas. This gas smells like rotten eggs. The water odor is not a health hazard, so it's considered "secondary" and has a lower priority.
• McCleary had water odor at least back to the 1980s, according to the Washington State Department of Health records.
• High manganese and iron are a common natural condition in groundwaters of Washington. Therefore, the odor problem is not limited to McCleary.
• When insufficient chlorine is used, coliform skyrockets, which may allow bacteria to grow.
• In the City of McCleary, odor problems seem to be worse at dead ends in the water system, and in locations where water usage is low.
• There is a complex governmental agency relationship which regulates drinking water. (See "Government Agencies".)
• See "Iron and Manganese" and Facts and Figures" for definitions and additional information.

Solutions to the Odor Problem

There are numerous suggestions to address the odor problem, from simple (use more water or raise the water heater temperature) to complex (sequestering agents used to remove iron and manganese from water). The City of McCleary uses several processes to address the odor problem, and performed a Pilot Study. Refer to "Treatment Options" page for more information about these and other possible solutions.

Water Quality Survey

For several decades, McCleary area residents have reported their water has an odor. A survey has been created to determine the extent of the water odor problem, and what, if any, attempts residents and businesses have made to alleviate the problem. [Note: Surveys should be crafted so answers are quantifiable for data analysis.]

Town Meeting

A timeline of tasks, and drafts of a press release, flyer and agenda for a Town Meeting are included in a PDF file.

Mapping the Water Odor

Since we now know that the odor problem is not exclusive to the City of McCleary, the significance of a map with colored tacks to indicate locations with the water odor is somewhat diminished. Maps of the City's water system would provide information regarding dead ends where residents might experience more of a problem. However, as noted in "Facts and Figures", I learned that the 1997 McCleary water system map is incomplete. So, until such a map is available, here's a map of Wildcat Creek Aquifer, showing the aquifer recharge area and the City Limits of the City of McCleary (with changes and annexactions).

Manganese and Iron Tests

These test results were obtained from the Washington State Department of Health.

EPA Standards

The EPA's drinking water regulations set a recommended secondary maximum contaminant levels (MCL) in water:

• Manganese - 0.05 milligrams per liter (mg/L)
• Iron - 0.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L)

Grants

There are numerous grants available for addressing water quality, offered from government agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations. For example, the EPA has a Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) grant. Ben & Jerry's Foundation has funded environmental causes. The Washington Forest Protection Association's Environmental Education page has a list of environmental and educational grants.