The City of Stow, in coordination with the Akron Water Bureau, is addressing recent reports from residents regarding an unusual taste and odor in the city’s tap water. Many have described the water as having a "dirt," "mildew," "moldy," or even "metallic" smell.

According to the Akron Water Bureau, these complaints are linked to two naturally occurring compounds — MIB (methylisoborneol) and Geosmin — which are commonly associated with algae blooms. These compounds are not harmful and are present in extremely low concentrations, often undetectable by laboratory equipment but easily sensed by the human nose.

“This is a known seasonal issue tied to environmental factors,” said officials from the Akron Water Bureau. “The recent stretch of high temperatures and heavy rainstorms created an algae bloom in our source water lake. As the algae die and break open, they release trace amounts of these compounds.”

The “metallic” odor some residents report is a result of chlorine interacting with MIB and Geosmin during the treatment process. The odor is often more noticeable in hot water, such as in showers where it can be intensified in steam form.

While the taste and smell may be unpleasant, the water is completely safe for drinking, cooking, bathing, and all household use. There is no risk to health for people, pets, or plumbing systems.

The Akron Water Bureau has responded proactively, applying various advanced chemical treatments to mitigate the issue. Officials report that these efforts are proving effective, with many residents already noting improvement.

“We understand this has been a nuisance, and we appreciate the community’s patience as we work through it,” said the Water Bureau. “We are committed to restoring normal water quality as quickly as possible.”